Avoiding Flip

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
I have my feed custom made at my mill, and they add the amount suggested by their nutritionalist. 12/12 - means 12 hours w/ feed, 12 hours w/out feed.

 

[Lesalynn]

Got it, thanks.

 

[terri9630]

The "for no reason" was meant to imply that there was no obvious illness or injury. Not that they just got bored and decided to fall over dead.

 

[Joanmcm]

We had one flip today (we think it was flip...no prior sign of illness). They have been on good food w/kelp since day one. She had a small amount of body fat but was one of the small/med size chickens. The chicks will be 7 weeks old. We butchered her and nothing looked out of line except maybe some blood clots. She was not yet fed after being on 12 hour fast since last night.

 

[Jo Anne]

I have first time meats 15, how do I know how much to feed? I am fermenting their feed also. Today they are 5 weeks and I just starting letting them run free in the yard some foraging going on.

 

[Joanmcm]

JoAnne, Hi. This is our first time raising meat chickens as well. I overfed the heck out of them for most of the time. If you got them from a hatchery, use thei hatchery's directions on quantities for a guideline. Guidelines are on their websites. The feed we used came from a mill and was close to the formula suggested by Polyface farms. Mine are in pasture pens that move 2x a day. Even still they would of enjoyed more pasture and I let some 'escape' for a little bit while the pens are being moved. This is a learning experience for us and next time I would like to devise a way for them to forage more and remain safe.