AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Ok,
I will give it a go with the food above

Thanks you all for your help..............much appreciated!

The show is in the next coming weeks, its a poultry section apart of the local show. I thought it might be a good start

Thanks,
Tiesha

Perfect start I think I hope they do well



Raf

Good idea for chicks up to about 6-8 weeks



LooLoo

All the best in the show



LooLoo

Its all protein, protein and some protein thats how to fatten up ANY bird




Cheers
Drew Smith

Works so well on turkeys




Raf

A balanced diet is the best. High protein for chicks.The most important stage what is lost at this stage from poor protein is hard to gain back .After starter we use commercial grower which has less protein in the ration to slow the growth down to allow strong bone growth.if you do continue to feed a high protein it is important to feed extra calcium.The only time we have fed higher protein at this stage was when we had large Malay but very important to increase the calcium.
Commercial feeds from reputable feed manufactures have nutritionists employed to ensure the correct ration and these feeds have tests done to ensure correct Protein,fat,calcium phosphorus etc .When we feed grower we add grains and lucerne.We have found that feeding lucerne hay to growing birds helps stop the feather picking and keeps them busy scratching through it and provides the fibre.

We use commercial feeds and add to the ration however I get my feed tested when I add extra to check the protein fat and moisture levels.

I feed lucerne chaff as it is 20% fibre,15% protein,1% calcium.In larger cages we place lucerne hay and the fowl will eat it as required.We also give pellet and grain mixes by filling their feed containers so they choose what to eat when they want.
Different temperatures also determine what they will eat.colder weather they will consume more corn and sunflower.We use a grain mix which has a special vitamin- mineral pellet sometimes they will eat this pellet other times not.
It is best to buy whole corn and crack it as required as the older cracked corn has less nutrition in it and it becomes just a belly filler .
Anyway the rule of thumb is balance your diet if you feed higher protein balance it with calcium.

Plus while it is good to give chooks some scraps be mindful that too much of these will mean that they will eat less of a ration that has all the nutrients required.

Just thought I would add we also give couple times a week some soaked dry puppy feed ,milk powder,with wheat,corn ,oil only to our breeding hens as the higher protein helps to increase the laying .So be mindful that higher protein with females will increase their laying.We give a couple of handfuls.

Fab info there Amanda




Raf