Do I need to "finish" my hens before harvest?

[Heny Penny]

I've heard you should change the feed for meat chickens right before harvest... I've never tried this before. I have 25 Freedom Rangers that will be harvested on Aug 17. Right now they eat a little bit of regular layer feed, but they free range 3 acres of good stuff for the bulk of their feed. They would be happy to eat processed feed if I gave it to them. Should I do something with a higher protein content right before harvest? Will it make that much of a difference in the flavor of the meat? Price is definitely a factor for us... Thanks in advance for any tips and opinions!

 

[Life is Good!]

Nope, we didn't change the FR's feed prior to their day to camp. Nor did we lock them up the day they were going to camp. They were out chasing bugs all day before we got around to sending them off. Yes, it got a bit messier on a few who had found some wonderful nightcrawlers. But, the birds were content.