Feed and Growth QUESTIONS????? Have you ever thought about this?

[TACEYPERKINS]

I saw something amazing today!!!!I went over to a friends house today. He had some cochins that he had been feeding on ace high turkey starter. The cochins are young about 3mths old. Here is the amazing part... I have the same line of cochin youngsters, except mine are a little older. Mine are about 4mths old. I feed mine whole oats, fish meal, alfalfa meal, vitamins, grit and they free range.
You should have seen the difference in size between mine and his. His look almost full grown.They dont even look the same age.

Heres my question... Will mine ever catch up to the size of his chickens, or will they always be smaller? Am I stunting their growth? Or is the turkey feed made to grow the chickens/turkeys extremely fast? Has anyone every tested this theory before. Which way do you think is better for the chicken?

 

[guineaman]

turkey starter is usually around 28% protein,it will make them grow fast.

 

[silkiechicken]

The higher protein and balanced ratios of nutrition in the formulated food will promote a faster growth and development. Yours may or may not get to the same size if they were picking and choosing out of their feed and not getting a balanced diet.

 

[RioLindoAz]

I suppose it may be possible that the feed your friend feeds (try saying that three times fast) contains that steroid type stuff for meat growth in turkeys.
But thats just a slazy guess.

I would go with what silkiechicken said...

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

My chickens seem to be getting a balanced diet.I thought they were doing good till I saw his. Does anyone have a picture of what the size a 4mth old cochin should look like?

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
Steroids are illegal for use in poultry. So it's not that.

 

[RioLindoAz]

Quote:
Steroids are illegal for use in poultry. So it's not that.

uhoh

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

Does anyone have a picture of a 4mth old cochin? So I can compair them to mine.

 

[silkiechicken]

Even if someone had pictures and a weight growth chart, you wouldn't really be able to compare because each batch of chicks, the season, the feed, and the line will have different results.

If they are healthy, be happy, and if you feel they are being slow in the growth department, try getting them to eat a more formulated feed.

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

ok thanks!