You already have known, in case you rear gamecocks, that not every feed is the same. Mid-South Feeds manufactures two different products within the ShowTime gamecock brand the Conditioner and the Maintenance feed and each of them are designed to meet a totally different stage in the life of a bird. One of the decisions that a serious breeder can make is to use the right feed at the right time.
Overview of the ShowTime Gamecock Feed Line
Mid-South Feeds, Inc. came up with the ShowTime line to suit two distinct nutritional periods that each gamecock experiences: the active conditioning phase and the daily maintenance phase.
The two products are constructed on a base of high quality polished and cleaned grains, however, these products vary in terms of protein content, composition ingredients as well as the purpose they are meant to serve. The combination creates a full-fledged feeding program of adult game birds annually.
The rationale of the line is straightforward: birds do not need the same amount of nutrition all year round. An actively trained gamecock used in a show demands more in its feed than a gamecock in the off season. The strategic use of both products at the appropriate time and in the appropriate quantities is exactly what ShowTime line was created to assist with.
Quick Fact: ShowTime Conditioner and ShowTime Maintenance are manufactured by the Mid-South Feeds, Inc. and are based on the same premium grain base, chelated minerals, probiotic cultures and complete vitamin complex. The main difference is the quantity of proteins, the quantity of fat, and the high quality of the ingredients included in the Conditioner to get the maximum performance.
What Is a ShowTime Gamecock Conditioner?
ShowTime Gamecock Conditioner is a high-performance feed which is scientifically formulated to give out all the nutritional factors required to achieve optimal conditioning and stamina in gamecocks. It is used in active training and conditioning programs when it is necessary to provide birds with maximum physical output.
The formula is composed on a mixed multi-grain foundation of polished popcorn, steel-cut corn chops as well as the whole wheat, whole milo, whole barley, whole oats and the Canadian Trapper Peas.
What makes the Conditioner different from a standard feed is that it also included high-quality animal proteins: dried skimmed milk, dried whey and dried milk protein with three high quality oils, including corn oil, soybean oil and wheat germ oil.
There is a combination of these ingredients that aid in developing lean muscle, better feather quality and increasing stamina. The formula also contains six strains of probiotic fermentation and a full vitamin complex (including Vitamins A, D3, E, B12, and C).
The Conditioner is best used for:
- Preparing birds in the weeks before a show or competitive event
- Building lean muscle mass and improving muscle tone and definition
- Boosting stamina, endurance, and physical sharpness
- Enhancing feather quality and coat condition during peak demand
- Supporting gut health through multiple probiotic strains during high-performance periods
What Is ShowTime Gamecock Maintenance Feed?
ShowTime Gamecock Maintenance is a daily nutritional feed that is scientifically designed to supply all the nutritional needs of adult game birds all year round. It is made of the finest polished and cleansed grains, and fortified by vitamins, minerals, protein, and energy according to Mid-South Feeds. It is not a performance feed, it is a base diet that enables birds to stay healthy, balanced and in stable condition between conditioning cycles.
The Maintenance feed is provided either on a daily basis or free choice at the discretion of each bird, hence can be easily controlled within a flock of birds.
It ensures that birds do not fall out of shape in off-season and also avoids the overconsumption which arises with feeding of high-performance formula in the entire year. It acts as the nutritional anchor to which each gamecock resorts between the periods of active conditioning.
The Maintenance feed is best used for:
- Year-round daily feeding during the off-season or rest periods
- Keeping birds in stable, healthy condition between events
- Preventing unnecessary weight gain from a conditioning-level diet
- Supporting general health, immunity, and recovery after conditioning
- Maintaining consistent mineral and vitamin intake at a moderate protein level
Nutritional Comparison: Conditioner vs. Maintenance
The most telling difference between the two feeds is found in their guaranteed nutritional profiles. The Conditioner carries a higher crude protein level along with additional premium protein sources that are not present in the Maintenance formula. Both feeds share the same 5.00% minimum crude fat level, but differ across protein, amino acid, and mineral targets.
| Nutrient | ShowTime Conditioner | ShowTime Maintenance |
| Crude Protein (Min) | 16.00% | 14.00% |
| L-Lysine (Min) | 0.85% | 0.70% |
| Methionine (Min) | 0.30% | 0.25% |
| Crude Fat (Min) | 5.00% | 5.00% |
| Crude Fiber (Max) | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| Calcium (Min / Max) | 0.45% – 0.95% | 0.40% – 0.90% |
| Phosphorus (Min) | 0.45% | 0.40% |
| Salt (Min / Max) | 0.05% – 0.55% | 0.05% – 0.55% |
Quick Fact: The 2% difference in crude protein between the Conditioner (16%) and the Maintenance (14%) may look small on paper, but at a bird’s daily feed intake it represents a meaningful increase in the amino acids available for muscle repair, feather synthesis, and stamina exactly what active, conditioning-phase birds need most.
Key Ingredient Differences
The Conditioner and the Maintenance formula differ in that the former has a higher percentage of grain base but contains a number of premium ingredients that the latter does not have.
The Conditioner will contain dried whey, dried milk protein, soybean oil, wheat germ oil and other probiotic strains which are carefully added in order to take birds to the height of physical conditioning. It is its additions that render its use during the high-demand conditioning period and not feeding throughout the year.
The Maintenance formula substitutes some of those premium proteins with recleaned whole corn and adopts a tad leaner probiotic profile, indicating its use as an everyday food as opposed to one to enhance performance.
The two feeds contain anise oil, lecithin, chelated trace minerals, and complete vitamin complex, so birds on Maintenance are still getting high-quality baseline nutrition. The difference lies in the performance support level that should be given by the formula.
At a Glance: Which Feed and When?
| Feature | ShowTime Conditioner | ShowTime Maintenance |
| Primary Purpose | Peak conditioning and stamina | Daily health and upkeep |
| Feeding Phase | Pre-show and conditioning weeks | Off-season and year-round |
| Protein Level | 16.00% min | 14.00% min |
| Crude Fat | 5.00% min | 5.00% min |
| Premium Proteins | Whey, skim milk, milk protein, oils | Skim milk only |
| Feeding Method | Per body condition required | Daily or free choice |
| Transition Needed | Yes gradual over 5 to 7 days | No can feed continuously |
When to Switch Between the Two Feeds
The transition of birds to Conditioner starts four to six weeks prior to a planned show or competition, which most experienced breeders start the process of transitioning birds out of Maintenance.
The transition is to be gradual, adding more and more Conditioner to the Maintenance ration through the five to seven day period to ensure that the digestive tranquility is not disturbed and that the bird system is adjusted in a proper manner. Not making a transition into the Conditioner may bring the digestive system an unwarranted stress.
Birds must also be changed back to Maintenance feed in the same gradual manner once the occurrence has prevailed or the conditioning cycle is complete. The Conditioner is not aimed at constant year-round feeding; its more protein and performance-grade ingredients are adjusted to the active physical performance and not rest.
This process maintains birds in great health throughout the year and at the same time makes sure that they are at their optimum when the right moment comes.
Final Thoughts
ShowTime Conditioner and ShowTime Maintenance do not compete with each other; they are the two parts of the gamecock feeding program. The Conditioner helps birds to perform optimally once the performance counts and the Maintenance feed helps them to keep strong, healthy and well nourished during the remainder of the year. The only way serious breeders depend on it is the use of both, at the right time and in the right quantities.
Mid-South Feeds constructed both products on the identical high quality basis of refined grains, the chelated minerals, probiotics and vitamins; the distinction is what each formula is scheduled to perform. Ph.D. Feed your birds with the Maintenance feed they require to keep them healthy all year long, and the Conditioner they require to be at their best at the time it really matters.
FAQs
1. What is the main difference between ShowTime Conditioner and Maintenance Feed?
The main difference is their purpose and feeding phase. ShowTime Conditioner is designed for active conditioning before shows, helping birds build muscle and stamina. ShowTime Maintenance Feed is meant for everyday nutrition during the off-season to keep birds healthy and balanced.
2. When should breeders use ShowTime Gamecock Conditioner?
Breeders usually use ShowTime Gamecock Conditioner during the weeks leading up to a show or competition. It supports muscle development, endurance, and feather condition when birds are in active training. This feed is typically introduced gradually after a maintenance diet.
4. Can ShowTime Maintenance Feed be used all year?
Yes, ShowTime Maintenance Feed is formulated for year-round feeding. It provides balanced nutrition that supports general health without the higher performance-focused nutrients found in conditioner feed. Many breeders offer it daily or free choice during rest periods.
4. Why does the ShowTime Conditioner have higher protein?
ShowTime Conditioner contains a higher crude protein level to support lean muscle growth and recovery during conditioning. The added amino acids help birds maintain strength and stamina when preparing for shows. This extra protein is not necessary during normal maintenance periods.
5. Do both feeds contain similar base ingredients?
Yes, both feeds share a base of polished grains, chelated minerals, vitamins, and probiotic cultures. These ingredients support digestion, immunity, and overall bird health. The main difference is the additional premium proteins and oils included in the Conditioner formula.
