Advice needed on growing packing peanuts

[PurpleChicken]

My last set of peanuts ate whatever I had extra of. I started them on
gamebird which is what I use for all my chicks and quail, and then went
with a mix of whatever I had including gamebird, oats, scratch, layer, and
even some rabbit pellets I had left over. My 16 peanuts ate SO MUCH and
I finally harvested them at 14 weeks.

This was the second set of fryer/packing peanut roos I've done, not
including the 50 or so roos I've hatched the last few years.
I will never do it again. The feed ratio is so poor and they are
way too expensive to raise.

From here out it's Rangers or Cornish only.


By the way I agree completely with everything DDawn said.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Yeah, I have also read that confining can keep them a bit more tender, though I have gathered that it matters most only in their last few days. Obviously, free ranging develops more muscle, though.

We like to put them in a cage the night before, off the roost after dark, when they are easy to catch. I have no idea whether confinement for the ones who have been crowing a while would matter for tenderness, but suspect it is more a function of age and hormones.

Higher protein feed like game bird starter might contribute to the amount of meat, but I would have to research to be sure, and since the OP is just talking about frying a few roos, it didn't seem worth the trouble of providing different feed to me. Could be wrong, of course.

The calcium in layer feed is not going to affect roos grown to eat. You are right, though, that it should not be given to new chicks, as their kidneys cannot handle the extra calcium.

Some folks feed a lot of corn before butchering, which makes them fatter, if you want the fat.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Now that's the way to feed them! Anything that is laying around....

As for not doing it again, not an efficient way to raise meat, I understand, but they taste so good....

And I feel quite complimented that you agreed with me. Guess I have done my research here.