So here is an update (and questions) on my meaties.
4.5-5 weeks old at this point. (actually 5 of them are my replacement layers and a bit older)
They were started on fermented crumbles, then at 3 weeks I switched to fermented layer mash based on Beekissed's usage. Really liked dealing with that, however protein content was only 17%.
Ran out of that and wanted to purchase from a more local feed store, so went in last night and they had organic chick starter at 19%. Gal showed me a sample of it in a small see through plastic bag, and it looked like a layer mash (more whole grains just ground smaller). So I bought two bags.
Got home to find that it is more like a crumble, with some small cracked corn mixed in.
Of course I will feed it.
But I did want to raise the question of the protein content. Protein=muscle formation=more weight gain=bigger bird. But really, how critical?
My thought is I may buy something (what? Soy bean meal? how well does that ferment? Or should I go with whole roasted soybeans?) to bump protein up and go back to the 17% layer mash.
Also really hard to tell how much they are eating (I am so used to free choice 12 on/12 off that I am concerned about making sure they are getting enough to eat!
Comments and suggestions greatly appreciated!
4.5-5 weeks old at this point. (actually 5 of them are my replacement layers and a bit older)
They were started on fermented crumbles, then at 3 weeks I switched to fermented layer mash based on Beekissed's usage. Really liked dealing with that, however protein content was only 17%.
Ran out of that and wanted to purchase from a more local feed store, so went in last night and they had organic chick starter at 19%. Gal showed me a sample of it in a small see through plastic bag, and it looked like a layer mash (more whole grains just ground smaller). So I bought two bags.
Got home to find that it is more like a crumble, with some small cracked corn mixed in.
Of course I will feed it.
But I did want to raise the question of the protein content. Protein=muscle formation=more weight gain=bigger bird. But really, how critical?
My thought is I may buy something (what? Soy bean meal? how well does that ferment? Or should I go with whole roasted soybeans?) to bump protein up and go back to the 17% layer mash.
Also really hard to tell how much they are eating (I am so used to free choice 12 on/12 off that I am concerned about making sure they are getting enough to eat!
Comments and suggestions greatly appreciated!