When to switch to Meat Bird feed

[BlackCoffee]

At what age do you switch from chick starter feed to meat bird feed? These ones we're aiming to butcher at 12 weeks. They aren't cornish cross. They are supposed to be dual purpose. 2 1/2 weeks old right now.
Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depends on the protein %.
The meat maker feed I use is 22% and I feed that from the start.
If you are talking about a finisher feed that is 15% protein, that is usually fed at about 12 weeks for DP birds.

 

[BlackCoffee]

The chick starter is 18%, the meat bird is 22% protein.
What are DP birds? Sorry, an amateur here.

 

[MeepBeep]

At what age do you switch from chick starter feed to meat bird feed? These ones we're aiming to butcher at 12 weeks. They aren't cornish cross. They are supposed to be dual purpose. 2 1/2 weeks old right now.
Thank you!

12 weeks is very early for most DP (dual purpose) chickens most people wait until about 18-24 weeks so they actually have some weight to them...

For dual purpose breeds, no real reason to switch to a meat bird feed, that is primarily for CornishX that can exploit the extra protein due to the faster growth rate... Keep them on an unmediated starter/grower or use an all flock as they get older... In the end sticking with an 18% and not spending the extra on 22% is not going to make much difference in size for dual purpose breeds...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2

For the OP, DP is dual purpose.