I have lots to learn about protein & nutrition when it comes to my chickens. What protein percentage should I have for the following birds? Laying Hens Dark-Cornish (for egg-laying & meat) Freedom Rangers CornishX My wife and I are currently researching growing our own chicken feed, which has caused us to realize that we haven't been paying much attention to the protein level in our store-bought feed. Any help on protein % would be appreciated.
Meat birds or growing pullets require a 20% diet. Mature and older hens can get away with 17-18%. Just to my Kalmbach Feed nutritionist last week if you are wondering my source.
Most commercial layer feed is 16-18%. At times, they need more (moulting, summer, etc). I'be never seen any suggestions that they could have too much protein, although I'm sure there is a limit that becomes unhealthy. That said, protein is expensive. From reading posts, most feed layers a commercial feed free choice and supplement with higher protein treats. If you have a mixed flock of birds which you want to raise for eggs and sometimes meat, I feel it is best to treat them like layers. You will get a slower growing bird with more dark meat. If you feed them all like meat birds, you will get lots of fat layers who will produce poorly. Ideally, you would segregate the meat-only birds and give them the higher protein. That way, you can grow them, finish them and dispatch them to the freezer while your layers are still thinking about getting ready to lay.
The feed Mfg that I use [Buckeye Nutrition] recommends - 21% Broiler Starter 20% Grower 18% Miracle Starter [for non meat breeds] 15% Pullet Grower & Developer 20% Layer [that the recommend mixing 70% layer to 30% grain] or 17% Complete Laying Crumbles Chris
