Using oats to lower feed protein content

[tofutop]

I have a few 2-3 week old bantams, and because their feed has a protein content of about 24%, I mixed some oats in to bring the protein content to about 19%. I'm not planning for them to be meat chickens, so do you guys think it's still too much protein? Also, can I mix some cracked corn into their feed to lower protein content? If so, when would be an appropriate time? Thank you all, the people here have been absolutely amazing.

 

[Chris09]

I have a few 2-3 week old bantams, and because their feed has a protein content of about 24%, I mixed some oats in to bring the protein content to about 19%. I'm not planning for them to be meat chickens, so do you guys think it's still too much protein? Also, can I mix some cracked corn into their feed to lower protein content? If so, when would be an appropriate time? Thank you all, the people here have been absolutely amazing.

To be honest I wouldn't cut the protein at all and if I did it wouldn't be with oats.
Oats have a high fiber content and poultry (chickens) don't digest fiber very well, when you add oats to there diet your lowering there dietary energy along with other much needed nutrients.
Also keep in mind that oats contain beta-glucans (ß-glucans) which is are antinutritional factors that reduce nutrient availability so unless your feeding a highly processed oats that contains ß-glucanases you could be reducing the original feed more than you should.

I would leave the oat for older laying hens and if you fell that you need to cut the protein in your feed down for your young chicks the use fine crack corn.
Corn my be lower in protein than oats but it contains more key nutritional factors.

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[tofutop]

Thank you very much. I'll replace the oats with fine cracked corn