Broilers feed -?

[calamtykel]

Hi all - after four years of doing just egg layers (with a very small experiment of 9 Freedom Rangers a couple of years ago) we are endeavoring to do a "real" meat bird project. I have 30 peeps that arrived from Moyer's today.....

I went to Tractor Supply and the Purina flock grower that I got there specifies that it is for all poultry including broilers for up to 10 weeks.
The only other chick starter was medicated and didn't specify for broilers. The purina did not say it had any medication added (don't want any meds....)

My question is, should I keep them on this the entire time we have them? Or I also read about switching them to strictly corn for the last two weeks.....?

Kinda nervous...as they seem sort of intimidating. I read about taking away the food for 12 hours a day - I would assume that I continue to provide water during that time that the food is away.

Also, if someone could tell me the advantage of processing at 6 weeks, or 8 weeks or getting them to 10 weeks? It seems that everyone does it differently - obviously you would utilize much more feed if you kept them going for 10 weeks....and I understand how they can develop leg problems if they go too long. Just curious what the "ideal" thing to do is (if there is one).

tx!

 

[phalenbeck]

I have only raised 2 batches of meaties, and processed closer to 10 weeks to get a bigger bird. I fed them 3 times a day, with over 16 hours off feed. The first batch were raised by a broody silkey and foraged fairly well. The second batch chaced me around the yard to get food. My assumption was more exersise, less problems, and not constant eating, less diahera. One 'went down on her legs' quite young, but all the rest were active till the end. Next time they shall have a large pen and free access to yard space just like my layers. Raised with space they are nice birds, just like layers. I have to figure out the fermented feed thing, as they do smell on bagged feed.

 

[calamtykel]

thanks! I want to try the fermented feed also - I just read somewhere else that you can use yogurt as a starter!

I love Bragg's apple cider vinegar - it's the only kind I use and I just ran out two days ago. I think a trip to the natural foods store is in order - Vitacost sells it much cheaper but I don't want to wait.

 

[chicken pickin]

I use Blue Seal Broiler crumbles(recommended feeding time is 0-7weeks). And then they have a Fat and Finisher to use from 7-8weeks (or time of process).