Confusion about CX feeding schedules

[blucoondawg]

I read different things on here about how to properly feed the CX, obviously not leave feed available around the clock, I hear of 2 main feeding schedules, a 12 on 12 off schedule, which I assume means leave food available free choice for 12 hours a day then take away for 12 hours, I would think they would eat a ton that way and you would need huge feeders.

Then I read feed them as much as they will eat in as little as 30 minutes all the way up to 2 hours, once in the morning and once later in the day. I would think this way would be less feed consumption, but will they still get close to the desired weight in the 8 week time?

How have you all done it? This is after the first few weeks of life of course, I know the chicks should have plenty of feed.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Well, this is my first time with them - and they are only 3 weeks old. So far, they have had feed available 24/7. When they are off heat, then they will only have it for daylight hours.

 

[Arielle]

blucoondoawg-- I raised two batches of 15 last summer. When these birds are very hungry they will gorge themselves. It is rather alarming. WHen they were very young I fed several times a day meaning feed always available, or not empty for long. THen when they went outside, I fed fermented feed, filling their bowls 2 times a day. THey always seemed to want more.

TO do it again I would give them fermented feed 24/7. It is a pickled feed so it doesn't go bad, even in the heat of the summer. ANd have dry available during the day as well.

I fed a 22% protein feed; perhaps the feeding schedule is on a higher 28% protein feed that you mentioned.

THey drink a scary amount of water too. THe fermented feed is a wet mash and that helpsmoderate boththe water intake and the feed intake as they get full on FF and don't eat as much as on dry. Have you read the experiemtn Kuntry is running on hers feeding FF? Might be worth reading.

 

[SmokinChick]

I have done both the 12 on 12 off, and the food available all the time schedule. No difference in mortality that I experienced. I feed 19%, for what its worth. Do the method that works for your schedule. But the less they eat the smaller they will be.
good luck

 

[Coralietg]

I have 16 Cornish X's at the moment, they are 18 days old. I've been feeding them fermented 18% starter from the beginning. For the first week, I never let their bowl get empty. Now, I feed them three times a day. My smallest one is 1lb, biggest is 1lb 8oz (as of yesterday). Not sure how that lines up with how much they SHOULD weigh at this point though.

 

[broomrider]

This is my first time raising CX also. After reading a lot of different post on the subject, I decided it is a matter of preference. I fed my second batch of 50 chicks for the first two weeks continuously then a 12 on 12 off. I give them an amount twice daily that I came up with after doing some research. I don't ferment my feed but I do moisten it and give them ACV in their water daily. Feeding them them continuously for 12 hours would be very expensive since they DO eat continuously.

 

[LindaB220]

I have 16 Cornish X's at the moment, they are 18 days old. I've been feeding them fermented 18% starter from the beginning. For the first week, I never let their bowl get empty. Now, I feed them three times a day. My smallest one is 1lb, biggest is 1lb 8oz (as of yesterday). Not sure how that lines up with how much they SHOULD weigh at this point though.

Yeah, Coralietg, that's what I do also. I'm going to drop it down to am and pm feedings. Mine are 5 weeks old and getting BIG. The fermented feed has been the best thing I've ever done for them.

 

[SmokinChick]

... Feeding them them continuously for 12 hours would be very expensive since they DO eat continuously.

Once the sun goes down and its dark. They stop eating. They will nibble if there is a lot of moonlight.