dual breeds, anything to do to help?

[what was i thinking]

i have a bunch of roos i hatched this winter/spring, some going on three months.... what can i do to "plump" them up a little or something? i would like to have them processed in the next two weeks or so. these are slw, white rock, bo, ba, sexlinks,hens with rir and sf roos... also a maran or two in there
1. should i put them in a pen or let them continue to free range?
i just bought a kennel to keep them in.
2. what should i be feeding them?
corn, grower/ starter mash.... something else?
3. i should have them done soon.... right? up to 4 months?
my dh says they don't need much because it is only the two of us, but if you ask me there isn't much on them. not like if you were comparing them to the bo or white rock... 9 month old girls... lol

 

[jenjscott]

You just can't compare them to the cornish x you raise or buy at the store. Process them at the right age and the meat will be better regardless of their size. Corn just throws the fat on them. High protein should help build the muscle. But free rangin definitely can affect the taste so I would put them up till its time and give them free feed grower with maybe a little corn treats.

 

[the_great_snag]

Yeah I think all you can do is confine them to limit their exercise and feed them high protein feed.

You are better off butchering them skinny than letting them get too old and tough.

 

[what was i thinking]

thanks for your help guys, pretty much what i thought. thanks again.