4H Poultry-Showmanship

[ScienceTeacher82]

I have a 'mutt' chicken that my son will be showing for showmanship this year. We're more focused on his abilities more than the chickens but were were advised to find a high protein feed for our bantam and read that 26% was considered 'top notch'. Where can you get something like this? A local feed mill? (we have two nearby) Southern States?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[I Love Layers]

Personally I think 25% is over the top. I feed mine chick feed, and in the evenings I give them a treat, which usually is oats but a month before shows I start adding in cat food for extra protein.

This is one of my cockerels a couple days before his first show last year on what I feed

 

[ScienceTeacher82]

Thanks for the advice! Do you know if she will still lay eggs with that increase in protein? We've had our chicken for 3 years but this is the first we've dabbled with food changes so I'm a newbie.

 

[007Sean]

I believe Southern States sells 24% gamebird feed.

 

[LibbyR]

You don’t have to feed them that high of percentage. I show mine on just regular 16% lay feed (I only have hens). If pretty is what you are looking for, the trick to getting them to look really really shiny and nice is too wipe them at least 50 times over with a pure silk cloth(I do it for hours before though) right to the minute before you show. And bathe them 3-5 days before so they can reoil their feathers enough. Some more not applicable to the question but good show tips- Clean out scales on feet after soaking in orange listerine (must be orange) and put a little baby oil or vasoline on them. Neosporin is really good to use on combs and wattles. Just don’t get it in their eyes or on the feathers. Make sure to delouse at least once too. I won Grand Champion 4-H showmanship last year just by following these ideas and studying the standard book. My bird had a broken wing feather to so it was certainly not expected. Anyways, Hope this helps.