Brooding CX alongside layers, what are the potential issues?

[sksmass]

I am getting an order of 25 chicks soon, 15 layers and 10 CX meaties. I had intended to put them all in the same brooder. What are the potential issues and what advice do you experienced keepers have?

1) I know the meaties are supposed to have higher protein feed than the layers. If I brood them all together is it best to give the higher protein meatie feed to EVERYONE or is it best to give the lower protein layer feed to EVERYONE?

2) I know that you are not supposed to give 24/7 access to food to the meaties at first. If I raise them all together I'll have to limit the layers' food intake as well. Is that OK?

If these issues are important, maybe I should just brood them separately. But it would be convenient to brood them together because they are all going to spend the summer in the same tractor so I'd prefer they establish their pecking order early, but maybe that isn't as important as I think.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

With my experience it just doesn't work. You can get away with it for the first two weeks on a higher protein feed, but make sure you do feed them 24/7 for at least the first two weeks. You really don't have to limit their feed until 2-4 weeks. When I say limit.... I basically mean they need to sleep at night. Put them on a sunlight schedule, when the sun is shining give them full feed, when it's not let them rest.

Your layers however will need full feed 24/7 for 8 weeks to get a good start on them. You can feed them the higher protein feed if you want but it's not necessary. After 8 weeks they do great on a 15-16 % protein.

Broilers however will need at least 22% protein.

Flaws:

1) Waste of money if your feeding higher protein for layers for 8 weeks. (if money isn't an issue then I wouldn't worry about it)
2) They fight. Broilers are laid back... layers.... not so much. They will compete for food, spar, and just straight pick on each other if given the chance.
3) Messy. The broilers will make a mess of any brooder you put together. These guys are ready for pasture at 2-4 weeks. Layers aren't ready until at least 5-8 weeks.

These are my experiences. No question they could be done but it takes more work than just keeping two separate brooders. Honestly you can use one brooder and put a mesh divider in between the layers and broilers. After two weeks, put the broilers in the tractor and give the layers free run of the brooder after you take the divider out. By the time the broilers are ready to process, the layers will be ready to go outside to take their place. So in reality all you really need is a couple extra feeders and waters. Again my opinion so take it for what it's worth.

Good luck...

 

[Michele S]

I have 24 meaties and 5 layers that I have had together from day one. I have had no issues at all. None of them eat at night anyway because it is dark and cold. They are in the coop asleep. I put the layers out of the brooder with the meaties when they were 3 weeks old. They just cuddled up to them and stayed warm and they are all doing fine.

 

[Southerngirl]

We always separate the meaties and layers at around 3 weeks of age. They start to hog the feeders at this point and bully the layers to get to the feed and water. Also, they begin to start their growth rate acceleration and feathering out more. Plus, their pooping machines at this point and it keeps the brooder/pen alot cleaner for the layers. This is strictly from my own experiences with the broilers. If this is your first time to raise them wait until 3 weeks of age, then you will get to see for yourself!

 

[rwwjsw]

I kept my meat and layers together and even after I moved them to their pen. Had to separate them when they were about 6 months the layers kept pecking the rear of the meat birds and they stayed raw. Even the meat roosters were no match for the layers they were pecked to and please do not keep the meat roosters with the other roosters found out quick about that. When they were chicks though I had no problem just had to deal with the extra bird mess they leave and they leave a lot.

 

[sksmass]

Thanks guys. Sounds like it can work OK either way. So, I'll just start them together and be prepared to separate them when it becomes prudent to do so.

 

[schmism]

im currently raiseing 28 nuggets with 11 layers. but they will only be together for 2-3 ish weeks before the meeties get put out in there pasture pen. From the info ive found it suggests that its fine to raise the meeties on high protien chick starter for the first 2 weeks. after which they will go on meat bird feed. My layers get chick feed for 6-8 weeks (depends on how long the bag lasts) then i move them to reg layer crumbles.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Mine are going to have to live together. We'll see how it goes. I can separate them if I have, too. Good info, guys! Thanks!