Gamefowl Nutrition
Feeding for Glory: Building a Balanced, Wild-Inspired Diet for Exhibition Poultry
When a bird enters the show hall—tail fanned, feathers gleaming like polished silk, stance bold and confident—every judge knows one truth: condition begins in the feed pan. The difference between a good bird and a great one often lies in the invisible science of nutrition. For exhibition poultry, proper diet determines not only plumage quality but also fertility, vigor, growth, and show stamina.
The Jungle Fowl Blueprint: Understanding What Chickens Are Built to Eat
Every domesticated chicken traces back to the Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus), a bird whose natural diet provides critical insight into how exhibition poultry should be fed today.
What Wild Chickens Actually Eat
Wild jungle fowl consume a predominantly animal-protein-rich diet: • 40–70% animal protein (insects, larvae, small reptiles, carrion)
• 10–30% seeds and grains
• 10–20% greens, fruit, roots
(Collias & Collias 1967; Savory et al. 1978)
Why This Matters for Show Birds
Feathers are over 85% protein—primarily keratin. High-protein, amino-acid-rich diets improve: • Gloss and color saturation
• Tail density
• Fertility and chick vigor
• Molt speed and recovery
Where Commercial Diets Fall Short
Commercial feeds rely heavily on carbohydrate grains (corn, milo, wheat) with minimal animal protein. This can lead to dull feathers, infertility, and poor conditioning for show birds.
Building the Balanced Exhibition Diet: A Practical Formula
Using widely available feeds, you can create a mix that improves feather quality, fertility, and overall show condition.
Core Ingredients
• Blue Bonnet Gamebird Scratch
• Don Roberto Gamebird Mix
• Browns Bag of Gold Pigeon Food
• Rolled Oats
• Mealworms
• High-Protein Koi Feed (Grow Pro or Thrive)
Champion Show-Bird Feed Mix (10 lb batch)
• 2 lbs Blue Bonnet Gamebird Scratch
• 2 lbs Don Roberto Gamebird Mix
• 2 lbs Browns Bag of Gold Pigeon Food • 1 lb Rolled Oats
• 2 lbs Koi Growth Feed
• 1 lb Mealworms
Expected Results
• Stronger feather shafts
• Improved sheen and color • Higher fertility
• Better muscling and energy