Why do gamebirds need higher protein?

[scottischicken]

Why do gamebirds need higher protein in their feed unlike regular chickens?

 

[nuthatched]

What do you mean by gamebirds? Because gamebirds and gamefowl are two different things.

 

[scottischicken]

What do you mean by gamebirds? Because gamebirds and gamefowl are two different things.

Turkey, pheasant, quail, guinea keet, etc

 

[nuthatched]

Turkey, pheasant, quail, guinea keet, etc

Well, it depends on the individual species and season.
Chickens, actually do better with 18-20% protein, not too much lower than numbers recommended for gamebirds, people feed 16% since that's the lowest found percentage that hens will live ( not thrive) and lay. I find it an antiquated percentage and feed 20%.
Another thing is domestication.
Gambebirds don't have eons of domestication in their lineage; they're always on the go, on guard, hiding, and burning energy. They need more in their diet.
Chickens, at less what you and I have in our yards are fat and lazy in comparison.
They mosey around, eat a little, sunbathe, eat some more, preen. They don't need the constant energy. They've also been bred to need less through the centuries.
And lastly, they are completely different animals.

 

[007Sean]

@nuthatched just about summed your question up, so they only thing I'll add is, gamebirds are from the the 'wilds', they haven't been domesticated (kept in captivity) for as long as chickens.

Therefore, they have a different metabolism (usually higher) than chickens. In the wild, they consume plant, animal and insect proteins that are usually around 28 to 30% or higher.
If given lower % feed they will survive but will not thrive. I go for the 'middle of the road' as far as protein (20% vs 30%)for my pheasants and quail, a 24% protein feed. My feed also consists of many different seeds, nuts, fruits....a custom milled feed.