Feeding Meat Bird Feed to Dual-Purpose Chickens

[ChookieG]

Hi guys I'm planning to raise dual-purpose chickens for both meat and eggs. I'm thinking of keeping chickens specifically for meat in a separate run from the egg layers and was wondering whether it'll make a difference to their growth rate and size if given feed specifically made for meat birds as opposed to the one just for egg layers. Thanks.

 

[CNJ]

Hi guys I'm planning to raise dual-purpose chickens for both meat and eggs. I'm thinking of keeping chickens specifically for meat in a separate run from the egg layers and was wondering whether it'll make a difference to their growth rate and size if given feed specifically made for meat birds as opposed to the one just for egg layers. Thanks.

I notice that the type of feed I use affect how their eggs turn out. If I feed them only 18% broiler finisher, their eggs shells look and feel brittle. Its probably because it has less calcium in comparison to my local 22% egg laying feed. I have also used 15% egg laying feed. I think the egg yolk in the higher protein feed is firmer and not runny like the lower protein feed. The higher protein egg laying feed cost more, but has better egg quality.

I raised Cornish x with broiler starter and broiler finisher, but have not raised them with just scratch or egg laying pellets, so I can't comment on it.

Also, the type of breed has a lot to do with how big they get and how fast they grow.

My Breese/Cornish x cross were a lot bigger than my Jersey Giants at 3 months old. Furthermore, it took my Jersey Giant rooster more than a year to reach 12lbs, but took my cross only 5 months to hit 12lbs. In comparison, my Jersey Giant weighed 5lbs at 5 month old.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you feed them a higher protein feed they will grow bigger and faster. If they forage for much of their food or you feed them substantial amounts of low protein "treats" that benefit is reduced. It's not how much protein is in one bite, it's how many grams of protein do they eat all day.

Higher protein feed typically costs more. Not sure how yours is priced Down Under. Since yours are dual purpose, they will not be as efficient in their feed to meat gain ratio as Cornish X or the Ranger Types would be. You will see a gain but I don't know how cost effective that will be for you.

 

[Mosey2003]

You will have some faster growth and their eggs will be larger if you start and then keep them on meatbird feed rather than starter-grower-layer. If they're already mature and you switch them to meatbird it won't be as much of a difference.

Personally, I like to start my chicks on high protein and then step them down to 18% chick starter with oyster shells offered on the side. You can feed higher protein to adults, but it's kind of a waste of money and you are taxing their kidneys a bit. I've done it, and I'd do it again if meatbird was on sale or I had some other reason.

What I have learned and what I don't see talked about as much is that the quality of your amino acids in your feed is more important than the actual protein percentage, really (for your layers and dual purpose birds). That influences my purchases as well - sometimes the only feed here that has lysine at 1% and methionine at or near 0.5% is the meatbird, so I'll get that specifically before breeding/hatching season.

 

[Mosey2003]

Also, the type of breed has a lot to do with how big they get and how fast they grow.

My Breese/Cornish x cross were a lot bigger than my Jersey Giants at 3 months old. Furthermore, it took my Jersey Giant rooster more than a year to reach 12lbs, but took my cross only 5 months to hit 12lbs. In comparison, my Jersey Giant weighed 5lbs at 5 month old.

That's normal though. I never understand why hatcheries and folks promote Jersey Giants as meatbirds without explaining that they're meant to be large roasting birds, so it takes them a lot longer to fill out those big frames.

 

[CNJ]

That's normal though. I never understand why hatcheries and folks promote Jersey Giants as meatbirds without explaining that they're meant to be large roasting birds, so it takes them a lot longer to fill out those big frames.

Jersey Giants take long to reach their mature weight, but start laying at about 5 months and they are decent egg layers.

The Breese start laying at about 4 months and are better egg layers. In France, the roosters are processed at 4 months and the hens at 5 months. I think they are fed a low protein diet like grain mesh with milk to fatten them up before processing. https://www.livestrong.com/article/478957-how-do-i-fatten-up-a-chicken/

Based on my experience, it seems that dual purpose breeds gain a pound a month up until they reach their mature weight.