The Old Folks Home

[chickadoodles]

 

[ChickenCanoe]

@vehve Aside from molting, I don't think the protein level needs to change much in winter. The primary thing that needs adjustment is energy.
As for fat, if you're providing some animal based protein, they're likely to get sufficient fat along with that in grains and seeds. For just a few birds, providing animal protein is easier. I use fishmeal to raise the protein in my 16% organic grower feed for young birds and molters. Occasionally I'll grill up some beef or poultry for the chickens but 16% crude protein is what the adult birds get most of the year.
They also get grilled coon and possum.
Roosters do well on about 14% protein.
A couple % points is a pretty big swing in protein for adults. While you're tweaking protein, it's more important to consider the limiting amino acids, while the crude protein may be high in some vegetative sources, they're usually woefully low in Methionine, Lysine and Cystine. Feed manufacturers that use vegetable protein (which is most feed) have to add synthetic amino acids for balance.
See the liebig barrel in the next link.
http://feed-additives.evonik.com/pr...nutrition/animal-nutrition/pages/default.aspx
Excess protein or excesses of some amino acids are excreted as nitrogen and results in more ammonia in the bedding.
As for rapeseed, 80+% of what is available in the US and Canada is GM for resistance to roundup.

 

[getaclue]

I've always fed Manna Pro, because that is what our local feed store carries, and they can't carry Purina. I like their Chick Starter, which is 18% protein, and I treat with a little Calf-Manna, which brings it up to 20-22% protein. I had asked them to order the non-medicated version, which they did. This has been going on for several months, BUT I looked at the tag a few weeks ago, and discovered it was medicated. I told them about it, and they ordered more non-medicated for me. When it came in, it was medicated, so they sent it back, and again ordered the non-medicated. Come to find out that the local granary that makes the feed for Manna Pro, won't do non-medicated. We've talked to Manna-Pro, and they referred us to their local rep. Same story. I began researching feeds, and prices. The best I can do is Purina Flock Raiser, which is 20% protein, and I can use if from hatch to death. The feed store that carries it is about 10 miles away. I know there are a couple brands of feed that I can't even get here in Florida. It's just one of those things that you have to research, and decide your best option, based on your needs, and availability.

 

[vehve]

CC, thanks for your input. We do give them kitchen scraps a couple of times per week, so they do get some animal based stuff too. Interestingly, judging by their appetite, potato has been something they wolf down at the moment. We also add vitamins every once in a while. The canola pellets we got are non-GMO, grown about 50km from here. Bought it straight from the producer.

Clue, here even in egg production, I think they use non medicated feed commercially. Broilers are brought up on medicated stuff though.

 

[ozexpat]

Just for clarification there is a huge difference between medicated chick feed and the low dose antibiotic used in broilers.

Medicated chick feed does not carry antibiotics.

The medication is Amprollium, It blocks absorbtion of thiamine to whicj cocci are very sensitive. It should not be used for more than 6 weeks .

The withdrawal time is 24 hrs

 

[vehve]

Here they just use the cocci meds in the medicated feed, I don't think it's even legal to feed them antibiotics. Overall, Finland uses one sixth of the amount of antibiotics in livestock compared to other EU countries. Sweden, Norway and Iceland use even less.

 

[casportpony]

Turkey starter here has bacitracin in it, and there used to be a mill that made chick starter with it and amprolium.

-Kathy

 

[getaclue]

Here, medicated chick starter means it contains Amprollium, for cocci, not antibiotics. I still don't want them on it continuously. Like I said, it depends on your needs, and what's available.

 

[vehve]

The TTIP negotiations have been interesting, I was shocked to find out that a lot of US meat is treated with antibacterials before packaging. I would think that would carry over some taste to the meat.

 

[bamadude]

Scg: no thanks on the cold bed and breakfast..

Diva: i think you have Alaskans gender wrong.