Protein feed young pheasants?

[ChikaInu]

I have my Yellow pheasant thread but in hopes this will be read by more I'd like to ask more experienced keepers if they have any go-to foods to up the protein?

My 17week old group are on grower pellets and supplements, but because of pecking and some other issues they have been busy eating a LOT of other things and are barely touching their pellets at all.
I do feed boiled eggs and a lot of live bugs to keep up the protein, but they love their greens and fruits and I think they fill up on them.
Sometimes I feel like they are a bit skinny when feeling for the breast bone, but at the same time I've never kept pheasants before, and with them being young birds don't know if they should feel like chunky chickens either.

They are all very active birds and growing.

Could someone advice me?

 

[007Sean]

What percent protein is your feed? Should be a complete and balanced 24% protien feed. I would cut back on the amount of treats your feeding them, greens are fine if they are in a ground enclosure, if on wire you will need to add grit for them to digest the greens and grains, if feeding grains!
At 17 weeks they should be plump but not overly fat. They should feel solid, muscular when holding them.

 

[ChikaInu]

What percent protein is your feed? Should be a complete and balanced 24% protien feed. I would cut back on the amount of treats your feeding them, greens are fine if they are in a ground enclosure, if on wire you will need to add grit for them to digest the greens and grains, if feeding grains!
At 17 weeks they should be plump but not overly fat. They should feel solid, muscular when holding them.

Thank you, I was hoping for a reply from you!
The grower pellets are only 20% protein I think and are what I was recommended to feed them from 12 weeks. They are from the largest brand here in the UK I think, but I also supplement with a high protein quail food that they really enjoy (but is crazy expensive) and some grain mix for game birds.
Maybe I'm just overcomplicating things as usual and it is no wonder they are not choosing to eat the pellets?

They are in a ground enclosure with access to plenty of wild greens, dirt, grit, barc, moss and all sorts.
I will cut down on the treats (much as they love them) and fruits and stuff then. I also ordered some of the starter crumbs I fed them as chicks and that they really enjoyed just to up the protein some - because from your description at least on of them could do with some chunking up. Little Buttercup that was also the one being pecked. Maybe she has just been a bit stressed. Starter crumbs are at 27%.
Does that sound like a good idea going ahead?

 

[007Sean]

Thank you, I was hoping for a reply from you!
The grower pellets are only 20% protein I think and are what I was recommended to feed them from 12 weeks. They are from the largest brand here in the UK I think, but I also supplement with a high protein quail food that they really enjoy (but is crazy expensive) and some grain mix for game birds.
Maybe I'm just overcomplicating things as usual and it is no wonder they are not choosing to eat the pellets?

They are in a ground enclosure with access to plenty of wild greens, dirt, grit, barc, moss and all sorts.
I will cut down on the treats (much as they love them) and fruits and stuff then. I also ordered some of the starter crumbs I fed them as chicks and that they really enjoyed just to up the protein some - because from your description at least on of them could do with some chunking up. Little Buttercup that was also the one being pecked. Maybe she has just been a bit stressed. Starter crumbs are at 27%.
Does that sound like a good idea going ahead?

If you can find it, a 24% protein feed would be best. 27% short term would be OK, too! but you don't want to feed high protein feed long term, causes multiple digestive problems, and other organs are affected by the high protein, can also affect the reproductive organs.

Being in ground enclosures, greens and fruits are OK, as far as grains, I would just feed sunflower seeds and unsalted peanuts to them, instead of a grain mix. Grain mixes tend to have a bad effect on the birds, they'll eat it and not the pellets or crumble feed, it's like candy to them!...not getting the proper nutrition as they should by eating a complete and balanced feed ration.

 

[ChikaInu]

If you can find it, a 24% protein feed would be best. 27% short term would be OK, too! but you don't want to feed high protein feed long term, causes multiple digestive problems, and other organs are affected by the high protein, can also affect the reproductive organs.

Being in ground enclosures, greens and fruits are OK, as far as grains, I would just feed sunflower seeds and unsalted peanuts to them, instead of a grain mix. Grain mixes tend to have a bad effect on the birds, they'll eat it and not the pellets or crumble feed, it's like candy to them!...not getting the proper nutrition as they should by eating a complete and balanced feed ration.

Thank you so much for your feedback again! I really don't have any keepers around here to keep me right so you are an absolute star!

They really, REALLY love their sunflower and pumpkin seeds so I might keep them for treat/social time and cut out the other mixes.
I'll see if I can blend the grower pellets and chick crumbs somehow. I don't know why they don't like the pellets - they didn't like the wormer variety I bought either, It was easier to worm my cat!
I will look into other brands but I think the 20% is it over here.

 

[007Sean]

Thank you so much for your feedback again! I really don't have any keepers around here to keep me right so you are an absolute star!

They really, REALLY love their sunflower and pumpkin seeds so I might keep them for treat/social time and cut out the other mixes.
I'll see if I can blend the grower pellets and chick crumbs somehow. I don't know why they don't like the pellets - they didn't like the wormer variety I bought either, It was easier to worm my cat!
I will look into other brands but I think the 20% is it over here.

20% will 'maintain' adult birds but is not adequate for chick's and juvenile birds. Cat kibble runs around 30% protein, you could crush it up and feed it mixed into the feed. Not the best senerio but will work temporarily.

 

[ChikaInu]

20% will 'maintain' adult birds but is not adequate for chick's and juvenile birds. Cat kibble runs around 30% protein, you could crush it up and feed it mixed into the feed. Not the best senerio but will work temporarily.

I have managed to obtain a somewhat obscure brand of feed that promises 23% - but pretty much EVERYTHING over 20% is also medicated. It is especially difficult when you only have a few pet birds.
This is the feed I found:

"Versele-Laga Show 1 & 2 Crumble are quality chick growth crumbs with coccidiostat, suitable for the first 12 weeks.

• SHOW 1&2 crumble is a complete starting and growth feed for chicks of pheasants, partridges, guinea fowl, quail and ornamental fowl. Appropriate for chicks from the first day until the young animals are fully grown
• This starting and growth crumble contains enough protein, energy, minerals and vitamins for a good and efficient growth and development
• The crumble form promotes a smooth intake without excessive spilling and it is ideal for both the larger and the smaller species. The coccidiostat protects the animals against coccidiosis

FEATHER CARE
The presence of omega-3 fatty acids and natural pigments contributes to optimal feather colouring and shiny plumage.

PLUS
Products enriched with a coccidiostat, this reduces the risk of a coccidiosis outbreak. Young animals are more sensitive to this intestinal parasite because their natural resistance is still developing.

COMPOSITION:Â soya feed (produced from genetically modified soya), maize, wheat, sunflower seed feed, rice bran, rape seed feed, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, soya oil, maize gluten, linseed, wheat gluten feed, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, marigold extract

ANALYTICAL CONSTITUENTS:Â crude protein 23.0%, crude fat 4.5%, crude ash 7.0%, crude fibre 4.0%, lysine 1.25%, methionine 0.56%, calcium 1.20%, phosphorus 0.79%, sodium 0.15%

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

• Period: From the first day until the young animals are fully grown. (+/- 13 weeks
• The feeds can be freely administered"

I'll give it a go with the chick crumbs to start with too, surely that is better than cat kibble? They are unmedicated.

The birds seem to be doing fine in general, but maybe the lack of protein was what triggered the feater eating.

 

[ChikaInu]

I have now introduced them to the first chick crumb again and compared to the pellets they are loving it!
Will be interested to see what they say about the other type of feed.

Honestly, I'm never ever having birds again. The stress!

 

[ChikaInu]

I am delighted that the new feed has arrived (of course it was on back order) and they are eating it like treats! It is the first feed they have taken to so gladly and it is such a relief going into winter - we have already have our first frosty nights here and they need to eat to keep their condition up.

 

[007Sean]

I am delighted that the new feed has arrived (of course it was on back order) and they are eating it like treats! It is the first feed they have taken to so gladly and it is such a relief going into winter - we have already have our first frosty nights here and they need to eat to keep their condition up.

Glad you found a feed that might work! If it's medicated, I wouldn't continuously feed it, I'd look for an unmedicated feed, I know your probably limited to alot of feeds in Scotland but keep looking!