2wk Cornish Xs...feeding schedule opinions, please :)

[augustmomx2]

My 15 Cornish Xs turned 2wks on Wednesday. I have allowed them 24hr access to feed and now I'm not sure if I should start the 12hr on/off schedule...or is it too early? I know there are differing opinions on this and I would love to hear yours

Currently, they are being brooded in a few cardboard boxes, in our pole barn. Although, today or tomorrow, dh will have their tractor complete and they will be moving.

They currently are on a 21% protein feed (I couldn't find any higher) and are doing fine, almost feathered out and what appear to be, okay legs

TIA!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

It really depends on how they are acting. Are they laying down breathing heavy? Almost like panting but with their mouths closed.... it's like their whole body moves when they breath.

If they are doing this, you need to slow them down. If they are not, you can go another week of 24/7 if you want. If I can get three weeks of full feed I do because it gives them a good start before putting them out on pasture.

But if you decide to do 12 on 12 off I would leave water in for them and dim the lights somehow. Maybe go with a little night light. Basically you want them to rest and if you keep the lights on and no feed they will pick up bad habits such as picking at the litter or worse yet.... picking on each other. I have found that if you dim the lights for a few nights (night light) it seems to help get them conditioned to eating and sleeping with the natural daylight. Since we pasture raise all of ours, when they hit pasture they are on a daylight feeding program. When the sun shines they get full access to feed, when the sun sets.... they sleep. But it's always best to condition them a few days prior then just turning the light switch off because they will pile and suffocate each other.

 

[augustmomx2]

Quote:
This is super-duper advice

Thank you so much! I never thought about leaving the lights on, w/no feed and inducing poor-picking habits

I'm thinking I probably can get another week out of them, there are a few that are showing that type of behavior sometimes. So, I'll keep a close eye on them, since they change/grow within hours

Great idea on the night light...something else I never would have thought of...

this site!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Good luck.... but ya keep a close eye on them that third week.

 

[jaku]

I'd start restricting feed- I always do at two weeks. And don't worry about your feed. They do fine on anything over 20%.

 

[blueskylen]

mine are at 2 weeks today also - looking like little basketballs with heads. i have been topping off their feed at about 8pm , but in the mornings they are usually out. I am going to do the same this week, as they are looking pretty hefty to me and am afraid to go 24/7 now . I got them from Meyers, and they have some really thick legs - I am very pleased with that. they seem to be a bit more energetic than some that I've had in the past too- trying to fly and running around like crazy when I come in to see them

I do have a few with pasty butts still and they are getting pretty fiesty when I try to clean their bottoms - don't like it a bit and getting hard to hold.

using purina flock raiser at 21% , and my feed store guy said if I wanted to give them a bit more protien to add some soybean meal. so have been mixing just a little bit to their feed.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

How are they doing?

 

[pardenx3]

Ours did fine on Flock Raiser 24/7. We lost four out of fifty.

 

[tommboy1973]

Quote:
Mine are only one week old, already fat and doing the breathing heavy thing. I have been feeding chick mash from the local feed store, no idea on protein content. Is it too early to start 12/12 feeding and turn off the light at night, won't they get too cold?

 

[scubaforlife]

Mine are almost 4 weeks. They are on pasture and their eating of the feed has slowed way down. They are supplimenting their diet with forage/bugs so I only fill the feeder in the morning and it isn't quite empty the next morning.