Can I Feed Meat Bird Feed to Hybrid To Make it Gain Weight Faster?

[jlwquilter]

Hi. I’m hatching black rock chicks (RIR roo over barred rock hen). The girls are already sold . That leaves me with the boys. They are only good for meat as far as I know (no breeding potential). So my question is : can I speed up getting them to butchering weight -I’m shooting for 4 pounds - by feeding them meat bird feed? It’s more expensive than flock raiser so if it doesn’t help with weight gain then I don’t want to do it/pay for no benefit. Are there good cost effective ways to encourage weight gain on these types of birds? I do understand that they won’t get to weight anywhere close to true meat birds but it’s what I have and I want to make the best of it
Thanks!

 

[RoosterML]

I personally would feed meatbird if that is what I would use them for.
Higher protein and lysine will covert to more weight gain. Compare the labels on the bag. Don’t allow them to free range will also increase weight gain.

 

[iwltfum]

Always start with a good high protein chick starter no matter what. 20-22 percent. Even for laying/dual purpose birds. No flock raiser until 8 weeks at least for your dual purpose. I'd go 12.

 

[RoosterML]

Always start with a good high protein chick starter no matter what. 20-22 percent. Even for laying/dual purpose birds. No flock raiser until 8 weeks at least for your dual purpose. I'd go 12.

Flock raiser is a starter feed for mixed flocks with chicks of all types. Not sure why you say not to use it.

 

[iwltfum]

Flock raiser is a starter feed for mixed flocks with chicks of all types. Not sure why you say not to use it.

Generally too low protein for chicks in my experience. It's not actually starter, it can be fed at any stage of life. It's like "all stock" feed for livestock. Does the job, but not that well. I have seen it as low as 16%. That would not be good for 1-4 week old chicks esp if the op wants extra fast growth. You should always go for extra fast growth in the first few weeks. Future egg production benefits greatly from high protein early in life.

 

[RoosterML]

Gereally too low protein for chicks in my experience. It's not actually starter, it can be fed at any stage of life. It's like "all stock" feed for livestock. Does the job, but not that well. I have seen it as low as 16%. That would not be good for 1-4 week old chicks esp if the op wants extra fast growth. You should always go for extra fast growth in the first few weeks. Future egg production benefits greatly from high protein early in life.

I think when most refer to flock raiser they are referring to the TSC Purina Flock raiser which is a 20% protein. Good all around product but would likely see more weight gain with a 20% meatbird feed which has a higher lysine content.
Here is a quote:
Lysine is an essential amino acid closely associated with body protein deposition potential.

 

[RoosterML]

Everybody is always worried about high protein which is sometimes misleading.
High Protein with High lysine = best feed to meat conversion ratio
This really holds true with raising pigs also.

 

[iwltfum]

Yes lysine is necessary to have in the right amounts- as are a number of other elements. Protein content by itself is also very important though. Not necessarily high protein all the time but the optimal protein amount for the stage of life. With my freedom rangers I feed 21% for 3 weeks, 18% for 3 weeks, 16% for 3 weeks. Dropping the protein by adding increasing portions of scratch grains to chick starter.

 

[RoosterML]

Yes lysine is necessary to have in the right amounts- as are a number of other elements. Protein content by itself is also very important though. Not necessarily high protein all the time but the optimal protein amount for the stage of life. With my freedom rangers I feed 21% for 3 weeks, 18% for 3 weeks, 16% for 3 weeks. Dropping the protein by adding increasing portions of scratch grains to chick starter.

Interesting,
I run my Broilers (Reds) on Poulin Quick Grow Broiler feed from start to finish its 20%. Very happy with results. Not only happy with the meat content of the birds but you should see the fat inside when eviscerating. Being in Maine you likely have access to Poulin. What feed are you using?

 

[iwltfum]

Interesting,
I run my Broilers (Reds) on Poulin Quick Grow Broiler feed from start to finish its 20%. Very happy with results. Not only happy with the meat content of the birds but you should see the fat inside when eviscerating. Being in Maine you likely have access to Poulin. What feed are you using?

Not really a poulin grain fan. I buy my feed by the pallet (2250lbs) from a mill in Vermont. My broilers are certified organic so I buy organic grains. The mill I go through I the cheapest I can find with delivery. Gets dropped off right at my barn. Our always have lots of fat as well. I attribute it to the corn and bugs/forage.