Breeding and taking care of gamefowl can be tough, especially with the debate about whether it’s cruel or not going around. To be honest, gamefowl breeders take care of their roosters better than those who breed broilers.
It’s necessary to keep your bird healthy and shiny. The best gamefowl feed will keep your rooster rough and tough, also a great beauty at the same time. You may also want to know what the best chicken feed is.
The feed should be chosen from the roosters’ nutrition standpoint. You’ll also need to understand how your rooster’s metabolism works. We’ll talk about these factors and more in this article.
We’ve selected the top 6 gamefowl food packets to make things a bit simpler for you. Keep reading to see what fits your bill.
Quick View: 6 Best Gamefowl Feed
- Manna Pro Gamebird Snowbird Crumbles
- Manna Pro 7-Grain Ultimate Chicken Scratch
- Kimoe 5LB 100% Natural Non-GMO dried mealworms
- Hatortempt 5 lbs Non-GMO Dried Mealworms
- Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Feed
- Grubblies World Harvest– Natural Grubs for Chickens
- Quick View: 6 Best Gamefowl Feed
- Best Gamefowl Feed Reviewed
- What to Look for Before Buying?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. What is the best vitamin for gamefowl?
- 2. How do I keep my gamefowl healthy?
- 3. How do I make my rooster stronger?
- 4. How much feed does a rooster eat per day?
- 5. What happens if chickens get too much protein?
- 6. What can I feed my chickens for extra protein?
- 7. How to enhance the performance of gamefowls?
- Final Words
Best Gamefowl Feed Reviewed
Now that you know what makes a food mix worth buying, you’ll understand the reason behind our selection. This section is all about gamefowl feed overviews.
1. Manna Pro Gamebird Snowbird Crumbles
As one of the more highly rated bird feed, it’s natural that Manna Pro’s food mix takes the first spot. Whether your roosters are young or old, it’s perfect for both starting food mix and growing food mix. Your beautiful birds will thank you for it! This is the best gamefowl feed.
When the birds are in the keep, the technique to grow them is by giving them lots of protein. Whether it’s off-season or derby season, the protein content of this Manna Pro feed should provide enough stimulants for growth.
The 25% protein content also promotes high-quality plumage for the roosters.
Additionally, to make the digestion process easier, they have added yeast cultures. It will enhance your rooster’s digestive process and ability. Efficient growth is achievable thanks to this addition.
It doesn’t contain any medication or medicinal properties. So it’s perfectly fine to feed it to a mixed flock. However, it contains a lot of vitamins such as Vitamin A, D3, and E to bolster your chicken’s health. And minerals are there to increase bodily functions. Both will increase the rate of recovery after a fight with other birds.
You can use it for all ages of gamefowl, but it’s especially useful for growing stages.
Pros
Cons
The final word on this feed from Manna Pro is that it’s the best feed for gamefowl chicks despite having a higher price. If you have a mixed flock running around that includes ducks, this non-medicated feed will be a perfect fit. Use it during the off-season for best results as it enhances growth.
2. Manna Pro 7-Grain Ultimate Chicken Scratch
If you’re looking for a cheap and additional gamefowl feed mix for maintaining mature chickens, especially game birds take a look at this package from Manna Pro. This chicken feed contains completely natural ingredients, so there is no fear of GMO contamination. Whether you’re growing free-range chickens or growing them in a coop, this is the the best gamefowl feed for the purpose.
Those who don’t like processed feed for their poultry will love it. The 7 grains in the mix namely corn, wheat, milo, oats, barley, millet, and sunflower seeds are kept in their original form.
No artificial pigments or flavors were used in it to keep it full natural. They used non-GMO purple corn as an added color to attract the birds. However, it’s been seen that the amount of purple corn in the mix is too little to notice.
Now, before you decide, you also need to know that it’s not supposed to be a complete solution. In fact, it shouldn’t take up more than 10% of your flock’s dietary content. Mix it with other feed to complete the list of required nutrients and minerals.
To be frank, the protein content in this feed is too low. With 9% crude protein, it falls at the bottom of the ladder.
Also, keep note that due to the size of the particles, it isn’t fit for chicks under the age of 8 weeks.
Pros
Cons
It’s not going to be your go-to solution for your rooster’s complete nutrient requirements. However, it can certainly be a helping hand to your main feed. It’s cheap, and that makes it an attractive product.
3. Kimoe 5LB 100% Natural Non-GMO Dried Mealworms
The demand for natural Non-GMO feed for animals and birds has been rising for quite some time. And this Kimoe bird feed from China ranks right up there with the top products. The comparatively cheap price of it also gives it a push up the ladder. This will enrich and create the best gamefowl feed.
Rich in protein, these dried mealworms are a perfect feed for all types of birds, especially chickens. You can also feed it to reptiles and other animals that fancy mealworms in their diet. Dried mealworms will increase immunity. So your roosters will have strong health going into the derby season.
Want to get your roosters and hens to become accustomed to free-range living? This is your chance to make them habituated with your backyard. Spread the mealworms around and see the magic.
The smell and flavor of the mealworms stay intact thanks to the quick-drying process. It also stays crisp enough. Not to mention, all of this combined doesn’t only make it nutritional but also quite tasteful for the chickens.
With enough protein, your chicks will grow beautiful feathers and strong muscles, both necessary for the adult stage.
You should know that this mealworm feed naturally doesn’t contain any minerals. This might be something to look forward to in case you want to add supplementary minerals. Besides being a natural unprocessed feed, it’s also cheaper.
Pros
Cons
Do you want cheap but nutrition-packed feed for your gamefowl? This can be your best bet to getting them ready for the upcoming season. It’s not the best feed mix for gamefowl, but it comes close, just lacking on the part of minerals.
4. Hatortempt 5 lbs Non-GMO Dried Mealworms
If you have lots of different animals other than gamebirds, you don’t have to buy different feeds for each of them. This Non-GMO feed filled with high protein content is perfect for feeding ducks, fish, reptiles, and amphibian animals. This will enrich and create the best gamefowl feed.
Point to be noted: This is recommended for small breed animals.
Dried mealworms are a safe and natural way to feed your chickens. You can also spread the mealworm feed on the grass to give the roosters a feeling of natural feeding. Make them accustomed to your feeding patterns by spreading the feed in front of them so that they can get familiarized with the pattern.
Just like with most mealworm feed, this one also comes from China. There’s no nutritional advantage for a Chinese-produced product. But it costs much less than products from the USA.
The feed mix is packed with flavor that the birds love. Thanks to the quick-drying method, the smell, and flavor of mealworms stay intact.
It’s full of protein and fat. With crude fiber, edible oils, and vitamins, it’s jam-packed with nutritional properties. It’ll suit any type of wild birds or game birds as well as other animals that feed on mealworms.
Dried mealworms won’t spoil, and it doesn’t require any refrigeration.
If you’re worried about storing the feed, then don’t. This resealable zip bag is a convenient way to store the feed without any container or a separate bag.
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for the best chicken feed for gamefowl, this pack will provide enough protein, this dried mealworm packet will fit right in. It won’t cost you a lot of bucks. And the environment will benefit from it.
5. Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Feed
5lbs, 10lbs packs not working for you? Well, you can opt for this huge package of 25lbs in a two-pack form. It will suffice for a huge flock of chickens and ducks and provide them with enough nutrition and promote growth. This is the best gamefowl feed which is organic.
To take the advantage of natural ingredients in raw form, there are not a lot of options like this Scratch and Peck feed.
What makes this package from Scratch and Peck stand out? It’s common to use soy and corn in chicken feed as an inexpensive protein component. And the fact that it doesn’t contain any soy or corn will make you happy. You can keep your rooster’s diet free from any potential allergens.
It contains ground limestone, fish meal, flaxseed oil, wheat, barley, along with different vitamins and minerals. Other than vitamins and minerals, everything comes in a natural form.
This is a completely raw and unprocessed type of feed that has lots of advantages. Despite the risk of getting spoiled from bad packaging, it’s the better option because it is easier to consume and absorb the nutrients.
Not to mention, this type of unprocessed feed is excellent for fermenting. Check the writings on the pack for more information. The process of fermentation is described on the packet.
You can feed this mix to chicks of 20+ weeks of age. Using it before this age won’t be a good idea.
Pros
Cons
The overview is quite clear on its use. Don’t take it as the main food source for your chicken flock. It can be turned into the best keep feed for gamefowl if you mix it with a bunch of mealworms.
6. Grubblies World Harvest– Natural Grubs for Chickens
If you think that your chickens are suffering from calcium deficiency, this package from Grubblies World Harvest is reinforced with 50x Calcium as an alternative to supplements. It’s an even better option if you also have hens in your flock with your roosters for production. It’ll help in getting stronger eggshells.
The best thing about this Grubblies feed pack is its higher calcium content. It provides a Calcium to phosphorus ratio of 3:1. Your birds can absorb full nutrients and won’t need any extra supplementary components such as oyster shells. Getting more for your bucks is always appreciated.
Don’t be disheartened seeing its calcium content because it also has a sizeable amount of protein. It contains 34% minimum crude protein, which is the highest amongst all of the products on this list. Your roosters and hens will get beautiful and healthy feathers.
Besides those, this package also contains oven-dried black soldier fly larvae, fiber, lysine, and dietary fat. As you can guess, Grubblies isn’t only nutritional for the roosters but also quite delicious.
All of these nutrients and minerals combined will increase your gamefowl’s energy. It’ll also enhance the chickens’ ability to get back their strength quickly.
One additional benefit of having a natural feed mix is that you can bring up your roosters in a natural environment with natural free-run behavior.
Pros
Cons
Who’s it for then? It’s for those who have lots of chicks in a growing stage. With a lot of protein and Calcium along with minerals, your chicks will grow up to be strong roosters. It’s the best feed for breeding gamefowl.
What to Look for Before Buying?
When you want to purchase something, you want to make sure it’s the best your money can buy. And that becomes extremely important if the product is going inside you or your precious animals.
As you’ve already seen, gamefowl needs feed that provides it energy and strength. So here are the factors that you want in your feed mix.
Best gamefowl feed, Protein
If you’re looking to increase your rooster flock’s energy level, the main nutrient is protein. In fact, roosters need more protein than it needs Calcium as opposed to hens. There are feed mixes that contain protein content from 16% to 35%. The higher you go, the better it gets.
However, you have to hold your horses. If your gamebirds consume too much protein, it will cause them to consume an extra amount of water. Extra water will cause wet litter, loose bowels, and blistered feet. None of these are appealing, especially for birds like gamefowls.
Best gamefowl feed, Calcium
Another important nutrient to ensure optimum condition for your rooster’s growth is Calcium. Although roosters require less Calcium than hens, it does need it for stronger limbs and bones.
If you’re breeding gamefowl, you need lots of Calcium for the hens. It doesn’t only help in growing the body but also helps to make the eggshell tougher.
There are supplements for calcium intake, such as oyster shells and ground limestone. Most feed mixes in pellet form contain these two elements. But it’s rare to see them in 100% natural and raw feed.
If you do use them as supplements, put them in a separate container other than the feed. It makes it easy to keep track of how much you’re using and how much they’re consuming.
Best gamefowl feed, Mealworms
The most common method of providing protein to your roosters, birds, and other animals is mealworms. In the wild, animals such as wildfowls and reptiles continuously snack on live mealworms. But it’s not possible to keep the live mealworms in a packet.
So, the companies use a quick-drying process to keep the freshness intact as much as possible. And the good news is that the smell and flavor of the mealworms stay completely intact, which makes them attractive to the birds.
If you want to give them the feeling of the wild, spread the mealworms around in the yard. Let the birds roam free and feed on the dried mealworms.
Best gamefowl feed, Minerals
Your roosters will need phosphorus and salt apart from a large amount of Calcium as minerals. Salt can be provided in the form of sulfates of magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc, etc. The minerals will prevent the roosters from suffering from anemia, poor feathers, short bones, and slow growth, etc.
Best gamefowl feed, Vitamins
Poultry needs all types of vitamin except Vitamin C. You’ll need to either choose a feed that contains Vitamin A, D, E, K, B12, Thiamine, Niacin, Choline, Folic acid or you need to provide them in supplementary food or pills.
All these vitamins will reinforce your chicken with anti-disease properties. You don’t want your rooster or breeding gamefowl hen to fall prey to diseases frequently.
Best gamefowl feed, Grit
Don’t forget that chickens need grit to help them digest the feed. There are two types of grits. One is the oyster shell grit, and the other is flint grit. The second one helps chicken with digestion, while the oyster shell is good for calcium intake.
Best gamefowl feed, Yeast Culture
Another method to help your roosters digest is by using a feed that contains yeast culture. The first product on our recommendation list is such a product. Make sure to check it out.
Processed or Unprocessed?
The final factor is whether you want your feed in processed form or raw unprocessed form. In the processed form, it comes in granular or pellet shape. Whichever you choose — both have their benefits and downsides. The reviews below will make it clear with the given products.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best vitamin for gamefowl?
The most necessary vitamins for gamefowl are Vitamin A, D3, and E. These will provide your roosters’ protection against diseases and keep them fit for the derby season. Most feed formulas have it on the ingredient list.
2. How do I keep my gamefowl healthy?
Food is good, but the best thing you can do for your gamefowl is giving it the necessary amount of light, air, and space. It needs to move around to keep its agility on top. Feed it oats, wheat, corn, popcorn, etc. for optimum health for a derby.
3. How do I make my rooster stronger?
Roosters need more protein and less Calcium than hens. The best way to make your rooster stronger is to feed it lots of protein and also let it roam around.
4. How much feed does a rooster eat per day?
A rooster eats 6-7 ounces of feed per day, which is 170 to 200 grams. Along with feed, you should feed some supplements when it’s the derby season. Roosters can eat several times a day. You can divide the amount in each feeding session
5. What happens if chickens get too much protein?
If your roosters get too much protein in their diet (which is unlikely), it will make the rooster drink extra water. This extra water will show its presence in litters and its bowels. Wetter litters, loose bowels, and blistered feet are some of the signs.
Too much protein may also increase the amount of ammonia released by the roosters. And that can cause issues with its respiratory system and eyes.
6. What can I feed my chickens for extra protein?
If you’ve used the gamefowl feeds already and want more results, I’d suggest that you give eggs, chicken meat (yes, they eat chicken), fish, shellfish, Nuts, and Seeds, etc. Fish and meat should be cooked.
If you want to increase the protein in your chickens, try to free-range the yard.
7. How to enhance the performance of gamefowls?
When you’re done with growing your roosters, you need to prepare them for the derby season. The best way to prepare them is by giving them vitamin supplements outside of their regular feed. A healthy body will have better reflexes which are good for the game.
Vitamin B12, Vitamin B Complex, multivitamins, minerals, and glucose are some of the non-drug performance-enhancing nutrition that you can use.
Final Words
Maintaining birds is a stressful task, and that increases many folds if that bird is of the gamefowl category. Giving them protein and minerals is easy as you can get good feed mixes. The best of the best gamefowl feed won’t work if the proper setup isn’t given.
The key to having healthy and strong birds is to provide them with enough air, clean water, light, and enough room.
