How do I feed meat birds and layers?

Date sort Score sort
ToriD26

ToriD26

Chirping
7 Years
Sep 14, 2016
14
11
94
Pacific Northwest
Hi, I'm still doing some research before I purchase birds next year. I want to have a mixed flock of meat and egg birds, so I'm trying to find out what other people are doing. One question I have pertains to what to feed the birds in a mixed flock, since meat birds seem to need a modified diet to grow best. Should I feed a general grower feed then just put out oyster shell for my layers when I switch to an adult feed? Or do I need to separate my meat and egg breeds? Or should I just get dual purpose birds so I can avoid musculoskeletal issues with meat breeds? So many questions!!
Thanks everyone!
 
It isn't too complicated but good that you are doing your research.
They can grow together because if you're raising Cornish cross or freedom rangers for meat, they won't be around long enough to worry and they can all get an 18% grower.
3.5 weeks for Cornish Game hens, 6 weeks for broilers and 8 weeks for rangers.
The only issue is that CornishX want to sit next to the feeder and don't run around much. That makes the space where they are very messy and requires more cleaning.
If you feed outside and cause the CornishX to go outside to eat, they will eat less and be less messy.
 
You'll want separate housing for the two types of birds. I'm assuming by meat bird you'll be getting a Cornish X or other very fast maturing bird. They consume a lot of feed which results in a lot off waste out the other end. You'll be glad to keep the two types of birds separate.

That said they can be on the same feed and yes as you said when the layers are actually laying they can be supplemented oyster shell for calcium they need. A good mixed flock feed that I use and would be fine for meat birds is turkey/gamebird finisher. That's usually 20% protein which is not as much as some prefer for meat birds but still a good ration for them and of course will be perfect for your growing and laying birds. When all birds are young a higher protein starter of 20-24% protein is good and will come in crumble form which young birds need. When the smallest birds are large enough to take pellet feed switch them all to the Turkey finisher.
 
Meat birds a generally butchered long before their layer counterparts need to be switched onto layer feed. So you can raise them together, I've done it for years with no ill effect.
 

Similar threads

S
    • Like
Meat bird feed for layers?
Replies
4
Views
491
gtaus
gtaus
HoneyHatchHomestead
Feed for dual purpose birds
Replies
1
Views
579
nuthatched
nuthatched
S
Meat bird feed
Replies
1
Views
552
U_Stormcrow
U_Stormcrow
watupwitthat
Feeding advice
Replies
5
Views
1K
U_Stormcrow
U_Stormcrow
Bear4boo
All Flock Higher Protein Feed vs. Layer Feed
2 3
Replies
22
Views
790
K0k0shka
K0k0shka

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom