5.5 week old Cornish X - feed options?

[ImportTheBest]

I have had my Cornish X birds (8 total) on the Nutrena Nature Wise Start/Grower at 18% protein since the day they arrived, as they shared a pen with the layers that they arrived with. Today the layers were moved to their own pen and so for their last 2.5 weeks or so...

Do I keep these meaties on 18% starter/grower or do I switch to the only broiler feed I have found in the area? The broiler feed is 20% protein.

At the last weigh in they were gaining well and about on par with the Welp chart. A few lower and a few higher, but averaged weight was spot on basically.

 

[Pork Pie]

If you have no other use for the existing feed that you have, then I'd finish that before getting the broiler feed. Otherwise,then I'd get the broiler feed.

 

[ImportTheBest]

If you have no other use for the existing feed that you have, then I'd finish that before getting the broiler feed. Otherwise,then I'd get the broiler feed.

I have 5.5 and 1.5 week old layers that I'll keep using the starter / grower on, so that's no worry. But thanks, I'll grab the broiler feed while I'm out today!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Any extra protein would be a bonus to their growth. If the cost is much more just stick with the 18% non medicated. Broiler feed I've seen as high as 24% and all that means is you'd be at target weight a week or so earlier. The higher the protein the faster the growth and if growing too fast people finish them on 18% or lower to prevent health issues and hold them over to a set slaughter date.

Many of us use a higher protein for dual purpose type birds. If there is no added cost for 20% protein you could switch all your birds over to it for ease then when meat birds are in freezer go back to 18% for layers and oyster shell free choice for calcium when they start to lay eggs.

 

[ImportTheBest]

They should go through that whole bag of feed before DDay, so I don't mind grabbing that today. And if they don't I'll mix bits in with the other chick feed each time I fill the feeder until it's gone, so that's not a worry! If they finish it before then, then I'll just finish them on started /grower. I don't really want to speed them up too much as I have to book the processor two weeks in advance! So that will be done next week if by Monday they are still on track with Welp.

Thanks so much!