Chickens and Guineas - same food?

[baby-blue]

Hello! I have chicks as well as guinea keets - the chicks are currently on a 16-18% protein medicated chick starter and the keets are on a 22% protein meat bird crumble. My question is - once the chicks reach adulthood - would they would be able to eat the meat bird crumble as well? I don’t intend to eat any of them. If not, could the guineas eat chicken crumble? All of the chickens are bantams - some cochins, some easter eggers, a polish, but they’re mostly silkies. If neither is possible, that’s okay, I’m just curious. Any other tips or types of recommended food would be much appreciated. First time chicken owner here! Thank you!

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Don’t feed your chickens meat bird food. I would get an all flock feed. Make sure to put oyster shells to the side!

 

[sylviethecochin]

You should up the protein you're feeding your guineas, if you can. 24-26%.

Most layer feeds are between 16-20% protein, and you can safely feed guineas that [EDT: protein percentage. Not layer feed. That has added calcium and is formulated for a chicken who lays nearly every day. Get all-flock if you want to do this] starting at about two-three months old. Just supplement calcium on the side when they start to lay eggs.

EDT: Wow. That's one of the clumsier posts I've made in my life.

Guinea chicks should have 24-26% protein.

Guinea adults should have 18-22% protein.
Chicken adults should have 16-22% protein.

If you get an allflock (or meatbird) feed of 18-22% protein, then the guineas and chickens can share it starting at about 8 weeks of age. They should have calcium provided when they start to lay.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Don’t feed your chickens meat bird food.

Why not? The only difference, so far as I am aware, is about 1.5% more fat (depending on the brand) and (generally) more protein.

 

[baby-blue]

They’ve been on a 24% protein crumble, but the feed store only sells that in 5lb bags and they go through that in just a few days. The only other option would be a 30% protein crumble sold by a different store, but for 40lbs of that, it’s over $30 and not very economical. None of the other stores carry anything over 22% - I’ve looked. I’d happily supplement calcium for the chickens if that’s what would help make the difference and if they were able to eat the meat bird crumble. I just want to do what’s best by all of them, but avoiding breaking the bank on a single bag of feed would be largely preferable!

 

[Timothy Menezes]

There's no Tractor Supply nearby? Their 24% Dumer Gamebird Starter would be about perfect. If not I think they will still be ok. If they free range then they will hunt for bugs and balance their diet out all by themselves. When they get bigger your flock will be fine on an All Flock diet with oyster shells on the side.

Someone once mentioned to me that they raise their laying hens on meatbird crumble with oyster shell on the side. He claimed his birds were very healthy with glossy feathers and all that. I wouldn't think that's ideal either, but if they can free range then they should be able to eat some vegetation and balance it out.

 

[baby-blue]

I do have a TSC nearby - that’s primarily where I go for feed. I’ve looked numerous times and I’ve called yet more times and there’s none there above 22%. I’ll give them another call today since I know the name now. I’ll let you all know!

There's no Tractor Supply nearby? Their 24% Dumer Gamebird Starter would be about perfect. If not I think they will still be ok. If they free range then they will hunt for bugs and balance their diet out all by themselves. When they get bigger your flock will be fine on an All Flock diet with oyster shells on the side.

Someone once mentioned to me that they raise their laying hens on meatbird crumble with oyster shell on the side. He claimed his birds were very healthy with glossy feathers and all that. I wouldn't think that's ideal either, but if they can free range then they should be able to eat some vegetation and balance it out.

Thank you!

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I just wanted to add a note about medicated food and guineas.
Medicated chick starter containing Amprol/Corid is safe for guinea fowl.

Medicated chick starter containing Monensin/Coban is toxic to guinea fowl. It is also toxic to horses.

I purchased a medicated starter from a different supplier assuming it was medicated with Amprol. It was medicated with Monensin. I looked up Monensin prior to feeding it to my birds and saved us much heartache. I want to mention this information because it's very important to ask what ionophore is used in your chick starter if you have other types of fowl.

Here's more information regarding Monensin/Coban.
https://www.elanco.us/products-services/poultry/coban
https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/AnimalFoodFeeds/MedicatedFeed/ucm081798.htm

 

[baby-blue]

There's no Tractor Supply nearby? Their 24% Dumer Gamebird Starter would be about perfect. If not I think they will still be ok. If they free range then they will hunt for bugs and balance their diet out all by themselves. When they get bigger your flock will be fine on an All Flock diet with oyster shells on the side.

Someone once mentioned to me that they raise their laying hens on meatbird crumble with oyster shell on the side. He claimed his birds were very healthy with glossy feathers and all that. I wouldn't think that's ideal either, but if they can free range then they should be able to eat some vegetation and balance it out.

I just gave them a call and they’ve had it in the back, presumably the whole time that I’d been looking for it. I’m glad the manager was the one who picked up the phone!

I just wanted to add a note about medicated food and guineas.
Medicated chick starter containing Amprol/Corid is safe for guinea fowl.

Medicated chick starter containing Monensin/Coban is toxic to guinea fowl. It is also toxic to horses.

I purchased a medicated starter from a different supplier assuming it was medicated with Amprol. It was medicated with Monensin. I looked up Monensin prior to feeding it to my birds and saved us much heartache. I want to mention this information because it's very important to ask what ionophore is used in your chick starter if you have other types of fowl.

Here's more information regarding Monensin/Coban.
https://www.elanco.us/products-services/poultry/coban
https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/AnimalFoodFeeds/MedicatedFeed/ucm081798.htm

Thank you so much for mentioning this - I checked the medicated crumble the chicks are on and it’s medicated with Amprol, thankfully! Made a note of that for next time. Thank you again!!