Egg layers with meat birds?

[mcf3kids]

Can I raise baby chicks together when some are destined to be egg layers and kept and some that will be used for meat? I am wondering if I can feed the chicks all the same food because they would be housed together. Is this possible and if so what kind of chicks would I get for my meat birds? Thanks guys!!!

 

[ARose4Heaven]

Yes, you can mix them.
Cornish X are the fastest growing meat birds.
They all eat the same thing.

 

[newchickmom]

I don't keep my cornish x with the other chicks because I measure how much food they get each day. The CX will eat constantly as long as food is available. The will take a nap when their crop is full though.
Even though they grow faster, it should be OK for the first week or 2. They won't pick on the other chicks, they don't like to move around much.

 

[hipeatall]

I had a great experience raising some together. I got slow grow meat / dual purpose birds from S&G Poultry. We raised their Naked Necks and Rainbows. All were healthy, happy and active birds.

 

[mcf3kids]

That is great news!! Thanks - I was looking at the Naked Necks and was wondering at what age they would be large enough to process? I would be maxing out my coop space with a min order of 25 but if they could be processed during early fall it would work nicely. I have never raised chicks before and know when to expect the egg layers to start laying but am really wondering if the Nakeds might be ready to process a little before 20 weeks. Thank you for your help!!

 

[hipeatall]

Here is the thread about our experience with Naked Necks and Rainbows

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=445671&p=1