Anybody feed their game birds chicken layer pellets?

[LamarshFish]

I am almost out of game bird pellets but I have a surplus of chicken layer pellets that I probably won't ever use, and I am wondering whether I can feed my chukars the chicken layer pellets without any problems?

 

[Welshies]

No. They need a 26-30% protein level, not an 18%. And, if they aren't laying, layer feed could seriously slow their growth.

 

[sylviethecochin]

x2 Layer pellets have calcium, which can cause kidney damage in too high of a dose. Not a problem for laying hens, but definitely one for non-layers.

How old is that feed? If it's more than a couple of months old, I'd just add it to your run or compost pile as fertiliser. Feed should be used within a couple months of the mill date unless it's whole seed. Whole seed holds nutrients for a lot longer than ground feed does.

 

[Tony K T]

I feed layer pellet and gamebird feed 50/50 for the laying season.I don't think it will do any damage if you feed for a day or 2.But I will be switching to Omega 3 layer pellet,and dry dog food kibble.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[LamarshFish]

No. They need a 26-30% protein level, not an 18%. And, if they aren't laying, layer feed could seriously slow their growth.

Hmm, my game bird pellet is a 22% protein pellet, and my chukars have thrived on it for 4 years now (lived 4 years on it just fine). They are full grown, 4 year old birds, so they are done growing.

x2 Layer pellets have calcium, which can cause kidney damage in too high of a dose. Not a problem for laying hens, but definitely one for non-layers.

How old is that feed? If it's more than a couple of months old, I'd just add it to your run or compost pile as fertiliser. Feed should be used within a couple months of the mill date unless it's whole seed. Whole seed holds nutrients for a lot longer than ground feed does.

The calcium thing could be a problem. I will probably only have to feed it to them for a week or so until I can get more feed.

I don't have enough chukars for what you are saying, one bag of feed lasts them about 6 months.

 

[Midnightman14]

I agree, I had several golden juveniles die on me this past season because they screwed up at the feed mill and gave me layer pellets and not gamebird pellets. I would not feed them to gamebirds for any length of time.

 

[BobDBirdDog]

I fed 100% layer pellets without any issues, but mine was 21%.
Sorry guys, I dont get the calcium OD comments because if we give them oyster shelll and other supplments then it seems that woud kill them as well. but calcium OD, never experianced or heard of it.
I put in cal supplements every year without issues. (atop the layer pellets).

 

[Midnightman14]

I've lost birds due to feeding layer pellet, it's calcium level is way to high for pheasants most of the time and it destroys their kidneys.

 

[williamsingr12]

Interesting to know I wanted pheasants but ended up with peafowl and they need calcium in a layer pellet and crushed shell both or their bones grow weak

 

[LamarshFish]

Due to lower calcium and a protein content that is appropriate for game birds, I ended up using meat bird crumbles. I have been feeding that to the chukars for about 5 months now, no issues at all.

It seems meat bird pellets or crumbles is the closest thing you can buy to true game bird pellets in the event you cannot buy game bird feed.