Do I feed the same feed from arrival to butcher?

[lincoln]

This post is probably a bit redundant, but I just want to make sure that the bits I've gathers come to the same conclusion.

I plan to get my feed from a local mill because it will be cheaper and more fresh. When my Freedom Rangers arrive, I will be feeding this same feed from arrival to butcher, correct? I will not be starting them on one type of feed and then switching to another, correct?

 

[sosanista]

Starter feed is usually 20% Protein. For meat birds this is sufficient all the way through. It has been recommended to me in the past to feed starter all the way through only because in my area I couldn't find an organic meat bird feed only conventional and I wanted to stay organic.

 

[Dogfish]

I've done flockraiser (17%) from beginning to end without issue. No leg issues, 6.5lb dressed roos at 8 weeks.

 

[carrlr]

Quote:
Wow, what type chicken? Cornish X?

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

We have simplified our feeding program. We start with 1# of Homestead Turkey Starter per chick folloed by Homestead Fast Grow until butchering.

Jim

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

You are going to find a lot of different answers to this question! There are so many differnt ways to go; medicated/non medicated, high protien/low protien, vegitarian/non vegitarian, high in omegas, high in vitamins, whole grains, commercial products . . .

My suggestion is do a lot of reading right here on this thread and then do what you think is best with the first flock, and make adjustments accordingly.
I have tried a few diffferent methods and right now I am at Purina Flock Raiser supplemented with fresh greens and whole grains from start to finish with ALL of my birds.

 

[Dogfish]

Yup, that was the result I got for roos this last time. Hens were smaller by a pound. 4 weeks in the brooder, 4 weeks in the tractor. It seems like one they hit the grass, they really take off growth wise.

Cost was $10.99/50lbs for Del's flock raiser compared to $15/50lbs of the 20% I found elsewhere for my first few test batches. The test batch birds were a little bit bigger, but for the added cost, it wasn't worth it to me.

I don't sell mine, and your results may vary.

 

[jaku]

Yup- I feed broiler feed, 22%, ground at the mill for me, from day one until butchering.

 

[lincoln]

The local mill i've talked to doesn't really seem to interested in doing the feed mix for me. Hopefully they're just busy and will call me tomorrow. I can get both purina flockraiser and homestead fast grow locally so I may end up having to take that route. Something has to be had by Friday, so the decision will be made in a day or two.

 

[jaku]

Do all you can to have it ground. It's the difference between weird grey unrecognizable mix and actually being able to see the corn and soy in your mix- plus it will probably save you a ton of money!