Poultry Improvement Contest Feeds

Where Do I Buy Feed? Tractor Supply Company (TSC) Quality Farm and Fleet Local grain elevators and or mills

Feed Tag Requirements All commercial feeds require tags. By law the tag must include: The name of the feed. Minimum crude protein, fat, and fiber content. (Also called guaranteed analysis.) Ingredients. Manufacturer.

What to Look For When Buying Feed. First look at the % crude protein. For broilers you will need at least a 24 % protein. If the % crude protein is not at least 24% you do not want it. Second check the cost. Protein is the most expensive part of the ration. Compare the % protein to the cost. Third check to see if the feed contains a coccidiostat.

Protein Protein will appear on the FEED TAG as % Crude Protein. Broilers should be fed at least a 24% crude protein ration. Your chickens will not reach the maximum weight if you use a lower protein ration.

Using High % Protein Higher protein feeds such as Turkey Starter (27%) may be used. Using a higher % protein feed is a good may to get your birds to grow faster. Most resources discourage feeding a higher percent protein due to the increased cost. (Protein is the most expensive part of the ration.)

Warning If you are going to use a protein ration with higher than 24% protein, you must use careful management. Excess protein is used by the body as energy. Remember that the ration is already balanced for energy(carbohydrates and fat). The result may be fatty liver syndrome. Birds may begin to drop dead in week 4.

How Much To Feed? The feed tag should tell you to keep a constant, fresh supply of feed in front of your broilers at all times.

How Much to Buy at One Time? Only purchase enough feed for a month. Feed can spoil easily resulting in loss of nutritional value.

Other Feeding Suggestions Call the feed mill or elevator in advance to order feed. If you are feeding a coccidiostat, look for withdrawl dates for slaughter. After week 5 you may want to lower the % protein to 21 %.