Feeding schedule for meat/broiler chickens ?

[DaveMorey]

I have 25 3 week old CX. I gave them free choice for the first two weeks. Then I switched to a 12 hour on/off schedule. The birds are all healthy and pretty active. I put them outside during the afternoons when I get home from work and they are content to practice flying and foraging in the yard. They don't seem as sensitive to cooler temps as my layers did. I would like to move them out of the garage soon but with overnight temps projected in the 30's this week I will stick with what I am doing now. If it was warmer I would not hesitate to move them out in a lean to with some heat for cool night temps.

 

[bigredfeather]

I use this chart to gauge how much feed to give them at any given age. I don't weigh out the exact amount of feed each day, but count scoops. My feed scoop is 3 pounds. As you can see, I create a chart by week for the number of birds that I have in a batch.

 

[waltandlori]

I know this is an older thread, but I have a couple of questions. I have 25 cx and this is my 2nd time around. I did use starter/ grower and now at the 3 week mark i'm planning on going to 12 on 12 off feeding schedule. I got this batch from a different hatchery than last year 2 were dead on arrival and within hrs. 5 more died. I now have one smaller than the rest that has a weird problem with her leg, it sticks out to the side and she doesn't walk well. Last years batch I never lost a bird, and all were healthy. I'll never buy from them again. questions are what does the leg problem sound like to you more experienced folks. I read something about "splayed leg" or some sort last year, but can not find it. Second is at 3 weeks too soon to go to 12 and 12?

 

[DaveMorey]

I know this is an older thread, but I have a couple of questions. I have 25 cx and this is my 2nd time around. I did use starter/ grower and now at the 3 week mark i'm planning on going to 12 on 12 off feeding schedule. I got this batch from a different hatchery than last year 2 were dead on arrival and within hrs. 5 more died. I now have one smaller than the rest that has a weird problem with her leg, it sticks out to the side and she doesn't walk well. Last years batch I never lost a bird, and all were healthy. I'll never buy from them again. questions are what does the leg problem sound like to you more experienced folks. I read something about "splayed leg" or some sort last year, but can not find it. Second is at 3 weeks too soon to go to 12 and 12? 

I am not sure about the leg. I have onenof my 25 that is having a leg issue also, though I think it may be broken. I am going to cull it.
As for the feeding I started feeding mine 12 and 12 at 3 weeks. They are healthy and growing (except for the 1) right on track.

 

[JohnKenner]

Would you recommend restricting feed to daytime only during the entire production run or just towards the end?
My chicks are 1 week old and I have been losing about 1 per day (started with 110). I have been feeding ad libitum but I am thinking about restricting feed to see if mortality is reduced, but I am a little worried about starving them as they are the ridiculously fast growing type. Thanks!

 

[eviemethugh]

John, the Cornish Cross birds will eat themselves to death if allowed to. But at 1 week old I would be looking for other problems. Too cold? Do you have them on any supplements like broiler booster? are they piling up and suffocating one per day? < if piling then you need to divide them in half 100 might be too many when they are trying to warm up in a pile.
We followed the Welp Hatchery feeding guidelines to a T, at this point they should only have for 12 hours a day free choice. Then around 3 weeks we measured the amount for the day and fed it in three meals: as soon as we woke up, lunch, and then about 1-2 hours before sunset so they can sleep happy with their crops full. We just finished our 100 these past two saturdays, good luck!

 

[JohnKenner]

Thank you eviemethugh.
I will implement the feeding guidelines starting now on day 8.
Will let you how things turn out.

 

[Mayshomesteadchronicles]

Thanks for the advice!! We just got 52 meat chickens and had them on 24 hr food (they were 2.5 weeks old when we got them) we have lost 4. And they just didn't seem that healthy... Last night we pulled their food and this morning they seem to be doing better! I think 24 hr feed just over does it for them! Hopefully we won't loose any more!!!

When can they go outside? they are in a 4ft diameter metal tub but they don't seem to have full feathers... We want them to be out in a "tractor" soon, but don't want them to get cold..

Thanks for the advice!! We just got 52 meat chickens and had them on 24 hr food (they were 2.5 weeks old when we got them) we have lost 4. And they just didn't seem that healthy... Last night we pulled their food and this morning they seem to be doing better! I think 24 hr feed just over does it for them! Hopefully we won't loose any more!!!

When can they go outside? they are in a 4ft diameter metal tub but they don't seem to have full feathers... We want them to be out in a "tractor" soon, but don't want them to get cold..

Our meat chicks are coming up on 4 weeks. We have already transitioned them outside. But I keep a heatlamp in the coop for them and make sure that it is somewhat winterized (windows covered with cardboard, etc.) so that there's not too many opening for cold wind to come in through. These chickens seem to do very well outside during the day already at such a young age. They generate so much more heat then your average layer chick. So I guess this allows them to stay warmer in cooler weather that other chicks would probably be too cold in. Hope that helps!

 

[justbob44]

Thanks for the advice!! We just got 52 meat chickens and had them on 24 hr food (they were 2.5 weeks old when we got them) we have lost 4. And they just didn't seem that healthy... Last night we pulled their food and this morning they seem to be doing better! I think 24 hr feed just over does it for them! Hopefully we won't loose any more!!!

When can they go outside? they are in a 4ft diameter metal tub but they don't seem to have full feathers... We want them to be out in a "tractor" soon, but don't want them to get cold..

regarding outside, 70 degrees or 7 weeks is what i have been told. mine are 4 weeks and i put the out the other day. they did fine.

 

[justbob44]

Thanks for the advice!! We just got 52 meat chickens and had them on 24 hr food (they were 2.5 weeks old when we got them) we have lost 4. And they just didn't seem that healthy... Last night we pulled their food and this morning they seem to be doing better! I think 24 hr feed just over does it for them! Hopefully we won't loose any more!!!

When can they go outside? they are in a 4ft diameter metal tub but they don't seem to have full feathers... We want them to be out in a "tractor" soon, but don't want them to get cold..

regarding outside, 70 degrees or 7 weeks is what i have been told. mine are 4 weeks and i put the out the other day. they did fine.