Feeding Broilers Organic starter then finisher

[LindaB220]

I have 16 egg layers that are 4 weeks ago. I have 28 meaties that I picked up this week. Have lost 2 of these already.

The only bad thing about the meaties (other than the poo) is that they eat so much. Angelicisi in La. bought 50. Fed 1 bag 1st week, 2 the 2nd and so on. After 7 weeks she was broke. She ferments her food to extend the value. It will cut down on waste because they can't spill it because it's wet. The chicks absorb 12% more vitamins etc. Extremely nutritous and cut her price per bag about 35%. Search at the top for fermenting sites. Well worth your time.

 

[Slingha]

I actually am looking forward to the poo. They are going to live in my garden in a tractor. No need for shavings. Free organic fertilizer.

I will look at fermenting their feed. I wonder if I clan use a packet of probiotics to start fermentation?

 

[myguysmama]

I have read so many conflicting things about what to add to the feed to ferment it. I've read just water, stirring and time, apple cider vinegar, whey, yogurt. I've read reasons why all of the above are bad or unnecessary.

So far I added a splash of ACV at the beginning and now I'm just adding water when I add more feed, or if it looks too dry.

It's supposed to make the poo less stinky too, but who knows.

 

[Slingha]

I just found out I can order the Blue Seal starter/broiler from Tractor Supply. Im not going to monkey around with fermenting feed. I just want to fill their feeder and move on. Ive got 3 little kids and im coaching one of their baseball teams so the last thing I want to deal with is complicating meat chickens. 8 weeks then in the freezer!

 

[rockin4branch]

are these backyard or heritage meaties y'all are feeding out? or are they commercial? We just took in 10 commercial broilers last night, I'd guess about 2-3 weeks old?? and I'd like to finish them out on grass & organic feeds. I'm just not certain how it will play out with these as this is our first time having any commercial breeds on our farm. (I feel sorry for the poor little guys...they're already so big and you can tell these chickens have never seen grass, dirt or actual sunlight before!)

 

[Slingha]

Mine are cornish cross.

 

[LindaB220]

are these backyard or heritage meaties y'all are feeding out? or are they commercial? We just took in 10 commercial broilers last night, I'd guess about 2-3 weeks old?? and I'd like to finish them out on grass & organic feeds. I'm just not certain how it will play out with these as this is our first time having any commercial breeds on our farm. (I feel sorry for the poor little guys...they're already so big and you can tell these chickens have never seen grass, dirt or actual sunlight before!)

Put their water away from the food so they have to get exercise. And put their food on something to raise it chest high so they have to stand up to eat. It will keep them from laying there eating themselves to death. Put down food at 7am and take out at 7 pm. The BEST way to raise these meaties. One last thing about Fermenting their feed. By adding water to the grain and fermenting you need to refill their water buckets a LOT less. Takes about the same time to do both. Good luck..