18% Protein?

[jecombs]

ITA about the feed mills and wanting to sell feed. However, it is my understanding Cornish X were specifically developed to grown quickly on commercial feed. I'm sure there are heirloom breeds that would thrive on free-ranging for a good part of their nutrition, but I don't think the Cx is the right breed for that type of flock management style.

 

[GreenMountainEric]

I believe the feed mills have an interest in selling feed. Not to say that the commercial feed won't speed up the process some or possibly have healthier birds, but there are plenty of people experimenting with other feeds and fermented feeds and don't have major issues. When we did meat birds some years back we lost some birds even on the commercial feed, 1 just died probably from bad heart the other 2 we killed early because they couldn't walk. I also believe people raised chickens for thousands of years before there was such a thing as commercial feed. When I do meat birds again I want to try a fermented feed and free ranging if they will free range, some have problems with the birds being either too dumb or too lazy to hunt their own food, then again I may go with a slower growing breed as well

I wanted to address the " I also believe people raised chickens for thousands of years before there was such a thing as commercial feed". - That is true, however, 1) they did not raise the breeds that we have today. 2) They lost a lot more animals, and general health was not as good. 3) They did not grow nearly as quickly or efficiently as they do today. 4) They had to have a supply of forage and grains, growing on the farm, to fill the diet needs of those chickens. 5) Layer birds only produced 1-2 eggs per week. There is a reason why feed mills were invented.....

"I believe feed mills have an interest in selling feed" That is a true statement. However, it is a very competitive market, and feed companies strive to offer better performance than a competing company. There is millions of dollars spent, every year, for advancements in animal nutrition. These advancements do make a difference. We are not just throwing something together, and hoping for the best. There is a method to our madness



To answer the main question in this thread- If you want the best performance, lowest mortality, and best meat flavor- 1) Buy a known high quality starter and grower ration for your meat birds. 2) Do not feed a Scratch feed!! It dillutes the amount of vitamins, minerals, and probiotics needed for an optimal diet. 3) Feed according to instructions on the feed label. 4) Allow access to pasture.

The rations, that feed companies manufacture, are designed to provide optimum results. Some farmers supplement with other things, and most of them know what they are doing. If you have time to do that sort of thing, and you know that you are not negatively effecting the diet, it is something that can be fun to do. However, pound for pound, you will not beat the formulations that are designed for growing meat birds.

 

[pbjls]

eric
dude.......I was thinking that

 

[msulaimain]

Looks like I'll be getting a good starter to start them off from Tractor Supply, then I will probably finish them off with 12 hours on and 12 hours off, feeding them a good grower/finisher with pasture as well.

What kind of feeder/waterer should I get. I would prefer to use the same waterer and feeder throughout the whole eight weeks of their lives.

Any recommendations? I do not want to waste feed or water...

 

[pbjls]

i make my own feeders and waterers. I use nipple waterers because it reduces waste. You can not overstate the chore that is lugging water to chickens in the field. anything tht reduces waste is a blessing. the feeders for the brooder are one gallon nusery pots with a planter base attached to them. the dranage holes on the pot allow the feed to drain into the base. I make a handle with a short piece of pvc and two zip ties. as the chicks get older put blocks under the feeder to raise it up. I do not restrict feed for the first three weeks.

the field feeders are similar but with larger planter basses and a five gallon bucket. keep the lid on or they will roost in the bucket.

I pull the feed at night. when I go out in the morning I move the pens and reset the waterers for all of the pens before I replace the feed. this trains the hungry birds to follow the leading edge of the pen when we move it. they are hungry and trying to get to the fresh grass.

 

[beanmcnulty]

I also do 20% starter for the first 3 weeks then a bulk feed mill 18% for the rest. I raise red rangers though, and dont have experience with CX. And they dress as advertised!