Feeding Buff Orpingtons as meat birds

[TommyBird]

I’m just wondering what everyone feeds their dual purpose birds when raising them for meat! I know I’ve heard with the broiler breeds you can’t over feed them. But with the BO’s is it pretty safe to let them free feed 24/7?

Right now I’ve got mine with turkeys so they’re on 25% game bird starter. Which is all I could find in my area. Can they just stay on this until we butcher?

 

[nuthatched]

I don't see why not.

 

[Sussex19]

I feed all my dual purposes cockerels the same 18% protein grower pellets that I feed all my chickens.
They get to a good roasting weight at around 18 to 22 weeks.
And yes, let them free feed.
I don't know about that high protein, I don't think it would be a problem, but I think it is unnecessary, and would cost more.

 

[SourRoses]

Yes on the Gamebird being safe. 25% protein is the upper safe limit for poultry.

Yes on the free feeding. I'm not sure how good the Orpington stock is for meat production, but they won't have heart attacks from eating.

My big English Orpington (and now some of his kids) liked to lay around a lot when he was growing, but he got enough exercise to be just fine. He would even lay down to eat