Show Off Your American Gamefowl and Chat Thread!!!

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I've years ago when I had gotten to games, found most people feeding scraps scratch and iron pellets etc produced a lot of "dunghill birds".. or as we used to call them "sh*t eaters". I'd get dunghill or burned out sparring and brood cocks from Mexicans (I made fly lures etc with feathers), and after just switching them to dog food, layer if they'd eat, chick feed, game bird feed even (and or special mix I developed that the Mexicans and white cops who raised cocks bought for lot) when great feathers seem expected, and these supposedly no longer or not ever crowing breeding or sparring cocks would suddenly act like I gave them viagra cocaine and gun powder (I'd never do that). So I'm thinking some peoples problems with their birds are just fed and worked out horribly. Most birds I got only knew what some very few simple grains were, and they'd get lil exercise and they'd get exausted. Birds I had around for some were constantly alert and active. Any feedback on topic (I'm not saying anyone here keeps birds bad, just asking how others do)? I only know how neighbors etc and clients (former vet assistant) in areas around me in major cities and small town country usa. From what started looking up on internet recent since getting new cockerel, I'm liking asil abilities.
 
Haven’t had one lose a toe before. I do try to keep the pens totally dry, especially once it really gets cold. Add lots of straw. Gets expensive quick but at least I’m not worried about em.

I've got a ton of hay down in every pen still got two bales left. And your right I wasn't using nothing but wood chips when I had one lose a toe live an learn.
 
I've always heard an appropriate perch for sizes, so chickens can wrap toes completly around perch and cover with feathers and heat with enough meat on chest etc. Never had anything get frostbite being out in open even when get suddenly wet except stupid farm cocks and stupid show cocks, games should be smarter especially in open all around to tuck head under a wing.. if they are not then they probably know how to spar even decent.
 
View attachment 1197936 On a better note... small 8pt.

Nice buck... sorry about the truck...

Looking though old papers found this and some others maybe it can help someone down the road. What to give for what ailments. And a feed mix

View attachment 1198089 View attachment 1198091

Nice, appreciate those...

Thanks for sharing SDM. Always interesting to see. Not trying to be smart, but why not just use a 16% pellet?

Havoc got the proteins... but also mass commercial pelleted feed is formulated at the basic minimum nutritional needs of birds... just like we can do fine with a bowl of cereal for breakfast every morning, but having pancakes, bacon and eggs can be better sometimes...

Like the black oil sunflower seed add extra Selenium to their diet, catfish pellets add fishmeal - animal based protein and fats, since chickens aren't vegetarians (and most commercial feeds only use plant based protein and fats)... wheat for some whole grains, corn as well, but also to cut the protein % back down so it isn't too high... so you can increase certain good things you want, but still provide balanced nutrition in the rest... you can adjust the recipe to suit personal choice with a little tweaking... it's nice to have a good base to go off of...
 
Havoc, I agree with what you are saying. High protein doesn't mean anything if it is not readily digestible. As a kid, I did a science experiment raising broilers. Most thought a high protein turkey feed produced better muscle growth. We showed a well balanced and lower than traditional protein level feed worked just as well. If a feed is balanced, the birds do well and increase consumption to meet increased energy demands. Genetics and environment play a large part.
 
His was about to start flopping and bout a 1/4 thick of not more at the back. I could see black on some of it from when it dipped into the 20s a few weeks back I just didn't want to chance losing him due to frost bite I am attached to that bird more so than the others don't know why.
We get some cold winters up here and I prefer the pea comb birds for that. It has to get pretty cold for frostbite and the young birds seem to do better than older cock birds with single combs.
 
Havoc got the proteins... but also mass commercial pelleted feed is formulated at the basic minimum nutritional needs of birds... just like we can do fine with a bowl of cereal for breakfast every morning, but having pancakes, bacon and eggs can be better sometimes...

I wouldn't say minimum but rather optimal. There has been a huge amount of research in the poultry industry and they are among the leaders in efficiency. Many gamefowl feeds rely on that research for their nutrient levels and requirements, but gamefowl breeders like to use more whole grains. Nothing wrong with that, just more work to digest.
 
I got him because from all the research I had done a proper black and or dark mahogany hackled Warhorse was supposed too be straight comb I'm real happy with the bird.

All my birds have small diameter roost and plenty of hay so shouldn't have an issue knock on wood.
 
I like the 20% pellet and then bring it down myself by adding in hard grains. I don’t too much care for exact amounts. I can feel them and tell if they’re light, heavy or good.
 
I got him because from all the research I had done a proper black and or dark mahogany hackled Warhorse was supposed too be straight comb I'm real happy with the bird.

All my birds have small diameter roost and plenty of hay so shouldn't have an issue knock on wood.
I think you need big diameter rooster to keep the toes up (under their breast feathers)
 
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