Turkey Starter on Baby chicks?

[gamefowl-layers]

I raise gamefowl. I have read the effects on pullets (laying problems and stuff like that). I was wondering if turkey starter has any effect over a long period of time?

Or is there a way to properly feed them turkey starter without getting problems? Like maybe feed them turkey starter for the first 2 months and change it? Any help would be appreciated thanks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Feeding too high of a protein feed can cause chicks to sexually mature too quickly. I personally do not want my pullets to mature too young and I will add scratch into their diets to cut some protein during the 3-5 month period. Sometimes pullets mature and begin laying eggs before they are developed enough to. I don't have any troubles with prolapse or egg bound hens, I actually never heard of them before this site.

I don't know if I would use a game bird. If I did I would switch to something lower after 8 weeks of age. Adult birds can eat a higher protein ration. I just don't want my maturing pullets to be getting it. This of course, is my own opinion and way of doing it. Others may have other ideas.

 

[gamefowl-layers]

Feeding too high of a protein feed can cause chicks to sexually mature too quickly. I personally do not want my pullets to mature too young and I will add scratch into their diets to cut some protein during the 3-5 month period. Sometimes pullets mature and begin laying eggs before they are developed enough to. I don't have any troubles with prolapse or egg bound hens, I actually never heard of them before this site.

I don't know if I would use a game bird. If I did I would switch to something lower after 8 weeks of age. Adult birds can eat a higher protein ration. I just don't want my maturing pullets to be getting it. This of course, is my own opinion and way of doing it. Others may have other ideas.

I understand. I was thinking of just feeding it to the stags. Usually at around 3 weeks of age, you can tell which ones are males and which are females. I could care less about the pullets because they look like mini hens at ages 4-5 months. The gamefowl world is very different than the egg laying world. People prefer the boys in the gamefowl world rather than the hens. I was thinking chick starter for first 3 weeks, then turkey starter for next 5 weeks, and then TMC Gamebird Mix.

What can be problems for the males with turkey starter? For pullets, I know it can affect their egg laying production but I'm not sure for the males.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I do believe I read that too high a protein diet can cause problems with kidneys and can lead to gout in chickens. I have also read some folks feed a higher protein feed without troubles. I haven't done it and can only guess at it. You may have to try it and see how it goes.

 

[gamefowl-layers]

I do believe I read that too high a protein diet can cause problems with kidneys and can lead to gout in chickens. I have also read some folks feed a higher protein feed without troubles. I haven't done and can only guess at it. You may have to try it and see how it goes.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try it one a few. Have about 30 chicks going to hatch this week so I'm gonna test it on them. Thank you.

 

[aart]

What's the protein percentage on the turkey starter?
Are any of the other nutritive values different?
Please do update this thread as you see any results.