Buying a bunch of roosters as fryers???

[EggSighted4Life]

I never should have started this thread!

I never should have started this thread! I blame you EggSighted4Life
I think I am going to order the 100 rooster special for $0.34 each ($10 Shipping) I am going to raise them according to this Virginia Tech Document
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/2902/2902-1083/2902-1083_pdf.pdf
I am also going to buy 6 female White Leghorn pullets. I will experiment with crossing them with a few select big roosters from the 100. It should be fun. The White Leghorns will be separate from the Roosters in my main coop and run.

I need to stay away from here until I place my order, or I will be persuaded no telling how many time to change my mind on what I do. I will keep running from one idea to the other!

Thank you so much for the input. If my wife finds out where I get these ideas, she will block this site!

LOL!

You should not follow that document (to a T) since you are not raising broilers. Standard breed birds will want to roost and be able to jump on things. They won't have the leg problems broilers do. And they will be very active. I will be curios though to see what kind of heat if any that you need to provide for that large of group.

I use Purina flock raiser (20% protein) start to finish... but in groups that large cocci might get easily out of control. So you might consider medicated starter if you think it's a concern. It works by blocking thiamine to slow the growth of the coccidia (which are in EVERY single chicken poo) while the birds develop more immunity. You could still have to treat as it is a preventative dose and sometimes there are special pasture conditions, weather and such.

I personally prefer to let my birds sleep through the night instead of full time light. More peaceful that way. True sleep instead of someone always up and bumping into or stepping on you. But you will figure out what works for you... wow, you're really going all in!

Poor wife!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry for hoggin your thread but I meant you might not be able to chew 24 week olds if they are fried. Cooked correctly... yum.

 

[Papaw-John]

If protein = meat, it may be more cost effective to pay the extra for higher protein feed.
Cost of protein per pound
(prices from Tractor Supply online as reference)
------------------------------------------------
$09.19/50lb. Crack Corn 7% protein = $2.63/lb.
$14.49/50lb. Laying pellets 16% protein = $1.81/lb.
$15.69/50lb. Chick Starter 20% protein = $1.57/lb.
$17.29/50lb. Chick Starter 24% protein = $1.44/lb.

 

[Papaw-John]

LOL!

Clip...but in groups that large cocci might get easily out of control. So you might consider medicated starter if you think it's a concern. It works by blocking thiamine to slow the growth of the coccidia (which are in EVERY single chicken poo) while the birds develop more immunity. You could still have to treat as it is a preventative dose and sometimes there are special pasture conditions, weather and such...Clip
Poor wife!

I am a believer in EM. I use it with my pigs. I was planning to have a thick layer of wood chips and straw and inoculate it thoroughly with EM. It will keep the smell down and it may help with cocci. Not sure about that though. I will have to look into that...

EM is basically just probiotics. It is good to put in their food too. But I need to give them preventative treatment too, Thanks

 

[Toogoodoo]

https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=FPBM

Meyers is worth a look! My shipping route has lost SOOO many chicks... but meyers chicks arrived in great condition and their shipping price is VERY acceptable. Plus wow, if you got room for a bunch they go as low as $o.34 each... I can't even hatch my own eggs that cheap!

California is also a pretty good size state. It would take pretty special birds to wanna drive 440 miles. My farthest was 3 hours each way, so not QUITE that far.

AAAAAND now I see about 100 chicks getting shipped in my future ....

 

[RUNuts]

If protein = meat, it may be more cost effective to pay the extra for higher protein feed.
Cost of protein per pound
(prices from Tractor Supply online as reference)
------------------------------------------------
$09.19/50lb. Crack Corn 7% protein = $2.63/lb.
$14.49/50lb. Laying pellets 16% protein = $1.81/lb.
$15.69/50lb. Chick Starter 20% protein = $1.57/lb.
$17.29/50lb. Chick Starter 24% protein = $1.44/lb.

Not necessarily. The higher protein is not utilized by the chicks. It is pooped out as ammonia and runny, smelly filth that sticks to everything. Feed your chickens a bunch of meal worms and look at the floor after 2 days. If you dilute the protein, we are good. Straight protein is not a good thing. I feed 18% grower and poop is managed.

Also, for CX, the high protein diet leads to leg and bone issues. If it is free choice and they can forage, not as much of a concern since they will eat grass and herbs.

Let us know what you discover.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm not sure that protein equals meat. But I can tell you what I DO know...

Calories equal energy. However calories from protein do contain the amino acids essential to build muscle and feathers. Formulated ration has added minerals and vitamins that cracked corn doesn't.

Sometimes I cheat and use turkey starter with 30% protein. And by sometimes.. I mean I start all my chicks on it for a few weeks.

I pay $17 for 50# Purina flock raiser (20% protein)
$20 for 50# Purina Turkey starter (30% protein)

Other feeds available to me are higher cost for lower protein. Use what is available to you at a price you can accept with a nutrition label that meets your needs and a fresh mill date.

Layer will have more calcium... maybe no big deal if you are processing young anyways... but said to inhibit growth and even delay onset of lay. Just not nutritionally balanced for growing birds and the whole point is put nutritious and delicious food on the table that you know how it was treated every last minute of it's life and thereafter for that matter. (I prefer mine air chilled when possible) So nutrition matters to me, even short term.

Cracked corn is a treat. Should not be given more than 10% total daily ration. And does NOT keep your birds warm when it's cold. I skip it all together.

Make sure to use waterers that you can keep poo free, as that is a major source of quickly spreading the cocci. Use nipple wateres or be sure to raise them of the ground. Also sometime bedding looks much dryer on top then it truly is underneath. So being aware of these things you can already be a little ahead of the game.

I use shavings... but might consider pellets like for the wood stove. I noticed some feed stores use them with good results. No fear of them getting eaten. and when they get wet the sink to the bottom but big dry pellets seem to stay on top... the one time I tried them.

If you have enough space, maybe try open bottom pens, that get moved daily or even twice... I'm still working on putting some together out of materials on hand.

I wish you great success.

ETA: I do agree that excess protein is excreted as stinky waste... AND that excess protein could add to bone issues in RAPID growing or very large breeds. Also true in large dogs... vet recommended feeding lower protein to slow the growth and allow the muscular skeletal system to catch up.

 

[Papaw-John]

I did it! I ordered 100 Fry Pan Rooster Chicks for 34 bucks!

https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=FPBM

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I delayed delivery until next month. I need some time to expand a little. Set up more feeders and drinkers. The wife said she did not mind me placing the order, but I forgot (out of fear) to mention the order was for 100 baby Roosters!
This site is so good for me.....

 

[Toogoodoo]

I did it! I ordered 100 Fry Pan Rooster Chicks for 34 bucks!

https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=FPBM
View attachment 1388939
​

I delayed delivery until next month. I need some time to expand a little. Set up more feeders and drinkers. The wife said she did not mind me placing the order, but I forgot (out of fear) to mention the order was for 100 baby Roosters!
This site is so good for me.....

Payday is tomorrow ... 100 baby roosters will be getting ordered first thing in the morning - fiance loved the idea when I just so happened to mention reading this thread and proving we could get 100 for $34 + shipping