Worried...moulting Taking All Summer

[Carrie Lynn]

My BA is molting and I'd like to offer gamebird crumbles.
Will it harm my banty hen, a year and a half old, and 17 wk.-old juvenilles?

 

[Mrsfoote]

Nope Its an all purpose Crumble. Higher protein in it. It should be fine I have a mixed flock different ages, never any problems. The conditioner I have has whole pieces of corn so that could be an issue but the crumbles are just like laying crumbles.

 

[LOVEIGEE]

Dawg....can you pipe in?

 

[al6517]

It's all about animal protein.................... that is what chickens need for proper development, organic plant protein is ok if you want only minumal results for a much higher cost. My birds get fed growth and plumage feed formulated into all of my higher protien game bird breeder conditioneer feed. Animal protein and the proper fat is what makes healthy shining feathers and good skin and muscle.
I have never been a fan or got on the whole organic bandwagon, mainly because of the plant protein issue, I have some friends who feed organic and their birds don't look as good as they can be. Once I looked after their birds while they were away on extended business, I switched their feed to real feed and when they returned they couldn't get over how much better the birds looked and acted, but they were agast at my choice of non save the planet feed and soon switched back to organic and having their birds look poorly. To each is own I guess, at the expense of the birds. Oh well.

 

[LOVEIGEE]

al6517.....what feed do you recommend? Thank you for you advice.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Purina sells a few good feeds such as ............... Gamebird feed, gamebird breeder feed, Gamebird growth & plumage, and they sell a great gamebird conditioneer. These feeds range in protien levels from 20-30% and many other estential nutrients not found in regular layer feed. I use all of these feeds mixed in custom mixes along with some select seeds according to what I need as I regularly have birds in all stages of development. WTS for just a molt I would feed 80% growth and plumage mixed with some 30% gamebird conditioneer all in a crumble (it's the only way it comes) and some boss, I would top dress their feed pan with a tbls of olive oil.

 

[Mrsfoote]

Al6517 that's exactly what I use. I don't even have to supplement oystershell or anything either. Birds look amazing, won't ever go back to regular lay crumbles.

 

[al6517]

Me either................. like I said I have birds in all stages all the time, keeping them all in prime condition everyday whether it be for laying, breeding, setting, egg quality, feather conditioning, show readiness, overall health is allot easier than troubleshooting your feed when your birds have a problem. IMHO not having to question your feed regime leaves you time to concentrate on other aspect of what your birds are doing.