Cannibalizing

[aart]

well i got both the young layers and meat chickens as chicks in May and i've been waiting for them to get to full grown. I live in southwest Manitoba, Canada. Dad probably has some oats somewhere that i could start feeding them and it looks like those are a bit higher in protein but, if i buy grower feed every day, I'm not going to have any profit left.

I believe oats have less protein than wheat......
....but they're missing the (vitamins minerals, amino acids) of a premix or formulated feed that is necessary to assimilate any of the nutrients.

You can save money buy feeding less nutritious foods, but you will pay for it in slower development and lower production.....your choice.

 

[Techtronic]

this is where i got them from: http://www.bergshatchery.com/cornish.shtml

Berg Grazers seems to be the breed and it says they grow slower. i'll see what i can get for protein feed. I can't do much about the coop space other than opening the barrier dividing the coop but they are outside all day and i only close them in at night.

 

[Techtronic]

The breed is Berg Grazers and the page i got them from says they grow slower. I'll see what i can get for higher protein feed. I can't do much about the coop size other than opening the barrier that divides the coop. However, that would leave me with nowhere to put the injured and they are outside all day anyways. I just close them in at night.

 

[junebuggena]

Berg Grazers are similar to Red Rangers. They reach processing size at about 12 to 14 weeks, if properly fed.

 

[lazy gardener]

As far as your fencing goes: It is not predator proof. If you can push a quarter through the wire grid, a weasel can get through there. Capable of wiping out a whole flock in a single night. Coons are very able climbers, and can easily climb over any fence, having access to your flock, unless the top is securely covered. With such a small enclosure, coons could easily reach through and pull any bird to the edge of the wire, and eat them through the wire. At this late stage of the game, put them on multi-flock, and hope for the best. The layers may, or may not ever reach potential as layers. Meat birds... may or may not size up for good processing wt. Wish you the best.

 

[Intheswamp]

Seriously, Techtronic, listen to what the *experienced* people are telling you. Get your chickens on a scientifically proven ration ASAP!!!! Your chickens are living more or less on the equivalent of Pop-Tarts, Skittles, and McDonald's Happy Meals....well, maybe not that good, even. You will note a vast improvement in the health and looks of your chickens if you get them on a good feed. To make the feed go further and actually improve it's nutritional value consider fermenting the feed. Fermented feed is easily done...search on the forum for it as there is a BIG thread dedicated to it and many more smaller ones. It also can cut your feed bill in half.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[Techtronic]

As far as your fencing goes: It is not predator proof. If you can push a quarter through the wire grid, a weasel can get through there. Capable of wiping out a whole flock in a single night. Coons are very able climbers, and can easily climb over any fence, having access to your flock, unless the top is securely covered. With such a small enclosure, coons could easily reach through and pull any bird to the edge of the wire, and eat them through the wire. At this late stage of the game, put them on multi-flock, and hope for the best. The layers may, or may not ever reach potential as layers. Meat birds... may or may not size up for good processing wt. Wish you the best.

I haven't seen weasels around our property before and we've killed any raccoons that have stumbled onto our property. we've had a fox around since i had the chickens but we dealt with that and the only other possible predator I've seen around is a skunk but i haven't seen that around more than once.

as for the multi-flock, is blue seal exclusive to the US? i can't seem to find any dealers within driving distance in Canada but i could check with a local agricultural store to try to get it ordered or find something different. In case i can't, any recommendations for something available in Canada? Google isn't helping either.

 

[junebuggena]

Any basic grower or unmedicated starter ration will do just fine.