Cornish X...what to feed?

[jgagnon]

Ive been feeding my chicks starter for the last 2 weeks. Now I want to switch to cracked grain (flax, oat, wheat, etc) and cook it. But Im thinking the protien isnt high enough for them. Should I add something to the feed? If so, what? Something the"old timers" did before all this commercial feed came about? Thanks.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Quote:
This is a tricky situation. I'm sure the "old timers" used whole or ground grains, but you have to remember that the "old timers" used dual purpose breeds and not the Cornish X. The Cornish X grow so fast that they need that high protein and I'm not sure if you'll accomplish that through a homemade feed.

Not trying to be a discouragement, simply pointing out that you are wanted to apply an "old timer" feed to a new age bird.

I'll be watching this thread because I've always wondered the same thing. Good luck!

-Kim

 

[Rolsjo]

Lion's Grip has some great information on making your own feed. They also have some recipes and suggestions for protein content.

 

[cassie]

You would have to add soybean meal or somesuch to the feed to get adequate protein. The commercial feeds are formulated for the class of poultry you are trying to raise. Cornish X don't need much of an excuse to keel over as it is. In my opinion there is no point in giving them an excuse like an improperly balanced ration. BTW, oldtimers often fed their chickens meat scraps and most of them fed skim milk. They were also raising a bird that made market weight in five months or so, not six to eight weeks.

 

[macnugget]

stick with the 28% broiler feed you'll be much happier with the end product you can feed them some corn the last week to give the birds some yellow fat.

 

[jaku]

Just get broiler feed ground for you at the mill. It's great- they put actual ingredients that you can see (like corn, soy, etc) into it, unlike the gravel-like grey crumbles you get with the prebagged stuff. They will also set the protein at whatever you want, just by changing the corn/soy mix.