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

[Eggs4Sale]

I know it doesn't necessarily apply to chickens, but I wouldn't want my kids, puppies, or other animals getting big quicker than normal.
If I was going to EAT them, heck yeah!

 

[digitS']

Your question about photographs may best be asked over in the Breeds forum.

According to Oklahoma State (Chicken Breeds and Varieties, John L. Skinner) adult Cochins should weigh "Cock-11 pounds; hen-8-1/2 pounds."

At 4 months, your Cochins should be about half grown, or close to it. They should be real close to 4 or 5 pounds, I guess. (I haven't had Cochins, this is just what I would expect from my Brahmas.)

Whole oats have a good deal of fiber, so does alfalfa. Chickens don't digest fiber very well. Alfalfa is fed to commercial laying hens to induce weight-loss and molting.

Steve

 

[gritsar]

Ever seen a 6 week old commercially raised chicken? They look very much like a full grown chicken. Besides being genetically pre-disposed to rapid growth, they are fed a very high protein feed. The combination of genetics and high protein produces a bird that's meaty enough to process at 6 to 8 weeks old. Only problem with this method is that their organs can't grow as quickly as their bodies do. It's very easy to give a commercial bird a heart attack. They have these tiny little hearts that struggle just to support their massive bodies. Even tiny amounts of stress can prove too much for them and they keel over dead.
Having observed that for myself, I see no value in feeding birds not intended for early slaughter a higher protein feed.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

digitS' :

Your question about photographs may best be asked over in the Breeds forum.

According to Oklahoma State (Chicken Breeds and Varieties, John L. Skinner) adult Cochins should weigh "Cock-11 pounds; hen-8-1/2 pounds."

At 4 months, your Cochins should be about half grown, or close to it. They should be real close to 4 or 5 pounds, I guess. (I haven't had Cochins, this is just what I would expect from my Brahmas.)

Whole oats have a good deal of fiber, so does alfalfa. Chickens don't digest fiber very well. Alfalfa is fed to commercial laying hens to induce weight-loss and molting.

Steve

Really where did you read about the alfalfa thing? I would like to read that! I had never heard of that before.​

 

[upthecreek]

Slow growing your birds is the best way to do them unless you are wanting to eat them . They will mature out later but will have a longer productive life than the ones that are fed the super starter .
Your feed program sounds good except i would add some whole wheat , black oil sunflower seeds(or sunflower chips/allready shelled) , safflower seeds and whole corn to your oats and fish meal(how much of each item are you giving them?) . I would only give them alfalfa pellets if they were in pens without grass .

How do you feed this ration(?) , i notice some of it is meal , how do you know they eat it or scratch it out in to the ground ?
With this kind of feeding one needs to make sure they consume it all and not waste half of it that they don't want .
You can also add some starter to your ration but not much . One of the main things is that they are consuming the fish meal !! and other good foods which can give you great birds .


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[Beekissed]

Which way do you think is better for the chicken? idunno

A natural growth cycle is better for the chicken. I bet if you opened up his birds you would find some pretty big, yellow livers that tear easily. I wouldn't worry about this at all if I were you, as you know....size isn't everything!

 

[Eggs4Sale]

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[Beekissed]

I meant that in the most....er.....constructive way, BTW!

Wasn't really thinking how it sounded at the time! Leave it to E4S to point that out......

 

[Eggs4Sale]

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You're welcome.

 

[Chris09]

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Well first thing I like to ask is? Have you ever treated your chickens with a coccidiostats?
Your friends birds being on a turkey starter might be getting treated with a coccidiostats because most turkey and chick starter are medicated..
The other question I have is what is the amount of each ingredient you are adding to your feed mix?

Something I found on a site I was on...
"Alfalfa is one of the most beneficial foods. It is one of the richest sources of all minerals necessary for great health. It is especially rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and iron in their most digestible forms. Alfalfa also contains fluoride in a natural form and most beneficial trace minerals, fiber, all vitamins including vitamin A as beta carotene, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K, essential fatty acids, antioxidants such as chlorophyll, Octacosanol, Saponins, Carotenoids and other phytonutrients. Alfalfa is another extremely effective method of raising pH and increasing phytonutrient levels.
In centuries past, the Arabian claimed that Alfalfa made their horses strong and swift. As a result, they began to use this nutrient rich grass in their diets and noticed right away that those who consumed it remained healthier than those who didn't. Being convinced just how beneficial it was for their health they named it Al-Fal-Fa, meaning Father Of All Foods."


Chris