Feeding Game Birds: A Complete Nutrition Guide for Turkeys, Pheasants, Quail & Guineas

Game birds have some of the highest protein demands of any backyard poultry — and getting their nutrition right at each life stage makes the difference between birds that thrive and birds that struggle. Here's what you need to know, and what we carry to get it done.

Why Game Bird Nutrition Is Different

Turkeys, pheasants, quail, and guinea fowl are not chickens. They grow faster, require significantly more protein — especially in their early weeks — and have different nutritional profiles that standard chicken feed simply doesn't meet. Feeding game birds on chicken starter or layer feed long-term leads to poor growth, weak feathering, and health problems.

The key differences:

• Higher protein requirements: Game bird chicks need 28–30% protein at the starter stage — compared to 18–20% for chicks. This supports the rapid muscle and feather development that defines these species.
• Niacin sensitivity: Like waterfowl, some game birds — particularly turkeys — are more sensitive to niacin deficiency than chickens. Species-appropriate feed addresses this.
• Active, foraging nature: Game birds are naturally active and benefit from feed that supports energy demands alongside growth.

Feeding by Life Stage

Starter Stage (0–6 weeks)

This is the most critical window. Game bird chicks grow at a remarkable rate and need the highest protein levels of their lives to support it. Start on a 28–30% protein starter from day one — do not substitute chicken starter, which won't meet their needs.

Medicated starter is recommended for most game bird chicks unless they've been vaccinated for coccidiosis. The amprolium in medicated feed helps protect young birds during their most vulnerable period.

🛒 Shop it: Heim Milling – 30% Game Bird Starter Crumble (Medicated)

Grower Stage (6–16 weeks)

As birds feather out and grow rapidly through the juvenile stage, transition to a grower crumble with slightly reduced protein. This stage covers a long window — from fully feathered juveniles through to near-adult size — and the right feed keeps growth steady without overloading on protein.

Choose medicated if coccidiosis risk remains a concern in your environment, or non-medicated if your birds have built natural immunity or were vaccinated.

🛒 Shop it:
Heim Milling – 24% Game Bird Chick Grower Crumble (Medicated)
Heim Milling – 24% Game Bird Chick Grower Crumble (Non-Medicated)

Layer/Adult Stage (16+ weeks)

For adult game birds — particularly laying hens — transition to a layer pellet formulated with the calcium and nutrient balance needed for egg production and long-term maintenance. At 18% protein, this feed supports adult birds through the laying season and beyond.

🛒 Shop it: Heim Milling – 18% Game Bird Layer Pellets

Why We Source from Heim Milling

All of our game bird feeds come from Heim Milling — a Minnesota mill we trust for consistent quality, fresh-milled product, and formulations built for real flock performance. When you buy game bird feed from Bloomington Farm & Feed, you're not getting feed that's been sitting in a warehouse. You're getting locally milled product from a mill that knows Minnesota poultry keepers.

Fresh-milled feed means better palatability, better nutrient retention, and a shorter supply chain from mill to your birds' feeder. That matters — especially for high-demand species like game birds where nutrition directly drives performance.

Species-Specific Notes

• Turkeys: Among the most protein-demanding of all poultry. Never start turkey poults on chicken starter — the protein deficit in the first weeks causes permanent growth setbacks. Stick to the 30% starter through at least 6–8 weeks.
• Pheasants: Fast-growing and active. Benefit from the full starter-grower-layer progression. Pheasants raised for release or hunting operations especially benefit from high-quality locally milled feed for optimal conditioning.
• Quail: Smaller birds with fast maturity — coturnix quail can begin laying as early as 6–8 weeks. Transition to layer feed earlier than other species. Quail also benefit from fine-ground or crumble-form feed given their small beak size.
• Guinea Fowl: Hardy and active foragers. Follow the same starter-grower-layer progression as pheasants. Guineas are excellent free-rangers and their feed consumption drops naturally when foraging is available — supplement accordingly.

General Feeding Tips

• Always provide grit: Any game bird eating anything other than pelleted or crumbled feed needs access to appropriately sized grit to digest it. Start with chick/small bird grit for young birds.
• Fresh water at all times: Game birds are sensitive to dehydration, especially in heat. Check waterers daily.
• Don't mix species on the same feed long-term: If you're raising game birds alongside chickens, feed each species their appropriate feed rather than defaulting to chicken feed for everyone.
• Limit treats: Scratch, seeds, and treats should make up no more than 10% of the diet — especially critical for high-protein-dependent game birds where diet dilution has a real impact on growth.

Questions about which feed is right for your birds? Browse our full game bird feed selection at BloomingtonFarmAndFeed.com or stop in — we're happy to help you find the right fit for your flock.