Higher protein feed for molt ?

[Ontario Chick]

Ended up with Turkey/pheasant starter (Masterfeeds) 28% protein.
Will use it as a Breakfast topping on top of apples and veggies it's a nice size crumb hope they will eat it even accidentally
Not sure if it will help, but makes me feel better just doing something.
I will continue using it in to breeding season so it will get used up without any problems.

[thegawd]

I wonder if master feeds does a gamebird breeder? hmmm

nope no gamebird breeder. still stuck with expensive Purina. at least it works great.

I did however find a %40 layer thats to be mixed with corn or mixed grains... now thats kinda cool.

https://www.masterfeeds.com/poultry/40- ... mix-crumbs

[Killerbunny]

Yup that's the stuff I was thinking of!

[JimW]

Pet Value in Kemptville carries Martin Mills Fish Pellets OC. heres a link to the site, http://www.martinmills.com/aquaculture-index.html and heres a retailer location search http://www.nitebridge.com/martins/fish.asp

I haven't bought any yet, but I researched them before, I would like to get Martin Mills High Energy Aquaculture feed to try as a protein source, 46% protein. Poultry Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Herring Meal and Soybean Meal as protein sources, would allow me to get some actual animal protein into my gamebirds.

[Pollo Caballo]

This fall/ winter I added chicken grower crumbs ( just rolling acres brand carried by TSC) to my layer ration (usually a commercial layer pellet) when most of my crew was molting. I did not specifically go out to buy a bag for this purpose but still had half a bag left over from growing out the last batch of last springs chicks. I basically just fed them half and half (plus whatever left over garden and kitchen greens, breads, squash and melons I had handy). Not sure if it improved the refeathering process or not but at least I used up my left over grower and everybody got through the molting just fine.

[modern17]

Most feel that high protein is the answer to all poultry ailments and the key to good health. Not quite the case. Turkeys require a higher protein ( up wards of 20-24 % ) but this is not the case in chickens. Anything more than 18-19 % protein is not absorbed but rather goes out in the droppings. They just can not take in more that the 18-19 %. Some feel this is not an issue. I disagree ( with some scientific back up from a poultry specialist and my own experiment as listed below) If you feed high protein long term it will affect the birds liver. In short burning out the liver and cutting the life span of the bird significantly . Back in the early 90s I did experiments on broiler type meat birds that I had given to me. The birds were given to me at 8 weeks of age and weighed approx 5-6 lbs each . I put them on a product called Broiler finisher... it was 28 % protein... I kept them on this for 3 months.. well that is some of them.... at about 2 1/2 months into the feeding of this hot high protein feed they started to drop off one by one .. I autopsied them ... their livers were yellow and had the consistency of jello basically being burnt out . Mind you they were kept on this as a their sole food source... no ranging or grains or anything else. They were reaching big weights and appeared to be healthy... but ... in reality were walking time bombs. In my hobby of exhibition poultry I am looking to not just get birds show ready , but am always looking for longevity of breeders for future show birds... I keep my protein at 18 % . Fat content in poultry is more important that protein . Bones and structure is dependent on fat content as the bones are hollow and contain fatty marrow.Just my experience over the years. I know many will debate and that is fine .. proof is in the pudding as they say .
TL

[Ontario Chick]

Interesting experiment, protein must have been much cheaper then.
I feed 18% layer pellets, but because I feed fruit and vegetable scraps and oats in the morning and scratch in the evening alongside the layer, I am lowering the protein content of their total food intake, during molt and start of the breeding season adding that extra bit of protein balances out the lower protein "treats". Or at least I hope it does. :)

[Killerbunny]

I'm the same as OC. They get scraps too so it's just a balancing job. When they are free ranging they get the extra from insects.

[thegawd]

Troy in your experience and with all your credentials backing you up do you feel that birds will eat what their body needs or no? So say if one had laymash, layer pellets, Boss, whole corn and turkey finisher pellets as free choice would they eat what they need? currently I feed 2 scoops of high quality almost dust free laymash, 1 scoop of whole corn and 1/4 scoop of BOSS all mixed up and fed as sole ration to all my birds. My birds seem to enjoy the mix and eat all of it.

Thanks Troy!

[modern17]

Al
I would hate to generalize and say birds will only eat what they need. I know here that within the various breeds I keep.. some favor some of my feed practices more over than others. In short some will pick through and only take what they like ( these I do not restock feed supply until it is cleaned up ) and others eat everything as presented. Adventually they seem to conform lol...I feed differently at different times of the year depending on what I am trying to accomplish. Breeding season is a good 18 % layer/breeder crumb...little else. Once breeding season is over I switch all the adults to a grower crumb 17 % for maintainance. I have hard feathered birds so I add oils and hard grains ( increasing the fat content) after the molt and in preparation for show season. They remain on this until breeding season starts over again late fall / early winter. The young stay on starter for minimum of 3 months in most cases 4 months.( depending on breed) .. when they are switched to grower , as mentioned I have hard feathered birds so once the young are 95 % feathered out I start adding grains and oils.... in fact the oils are added to the grower in early stages as well to increase the fat content( aids in feather and bone formation) .I prefer a combination of cod liver oil and sun flower oil. Mixed the day prior as to be absorbed in the crumbs so clumping and chocking is not a factor. Vitamins and electrolites are added as a supplement in the water for growing birds.... as well once a week all growing birds get a helping of plain yogurt.. this aides them in having good gut bacteria and will allow a better absorption of fat , protein and other nutrients.One point I must stress for exhibition birds.. hard grains ( especially cracked corn) will cause stress marks and purple barring in growing or molting ( not fully feathered out ) birds , this is why I let my birds become 95 % or more feathered out prior to starting hard grains....As I have had it explained to me it is the break down process that the bird has to go through to get the nutrients that causes this ??? I just know I paid the price several years ago.. with most of my young birds being riddled with purple barring and stress marks in the feathering.. this may not affect those that do not show but is a big factor for those who do. Bottom line this is what works for me and what I do... if your birds do what you are trying to achieve with your current practices , I would not change much.. My only point was to be aware of the effects of high protein on livers and longevity.
TL