Good feed for the last four weeks

[TaraBellaBirds]

I have four (15 week) Austrolorps, and three (5 month) Jersey Giants, plus a mean *** columbian wyandotte (hate that bird). What would be a good protein percentage to put them on until D-day?

 

[Kelsie2290]

If only feeding one feed, since the lorps are youngest and the giants are a large breed I would go with the lower protein % of Grower (15-16%) so you don't push them into laying early.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

If only feeding one feed, since the lorps are youngest and the giants are a large breed I would go with the lower protein % of Grower (15-16%) so you don't push them into laying early.

This batch is only roos. I've already culled them for optimum growth, and to protect my poor girls from too many roos! Don't they need protein to beef (LOL) up?

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

At the moment they are eating what I feed the rest of the flock, a layer feed mixed with scratch grains.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Ohhhhh .... That kind of D-day .... The recommendation seems to be for around 18% or higher as a Finisher for large breeds or ones like the Rangers unless they are having leg problems. I feed my birds a mix of 20% pellets and scratch grains and usually try to keep the roosters I plan on culling at about that%.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Cool, thanks for the info! I wish my feed and seed sold pellets! But living in rural KS you get what you can, next year I plan to grow my own grains! I can't wait until I have a nice patch of milo, corn and sunflowers for my little flock!

 

[cdstewart]

Cool, thanks for the info! I wish my feed and seed sold pellets! But living in rural KS you get what you can, next year I plan to grow my own grains! I can't wait until I have a nice patch of milo, corn and sunflowers for my little flock!

the bonus' of living in rural ks.. good pasture for ranging.. lots of grasshoppers and crickets and the local co-op has everything we need to make a really good feed.

 

[Kelsie2290]

http://www.uvm.edu/newfarmer/production/livestock/Growing Broilers-Darre.pdf is a good article from the Univ of CT on growing broilers with recipes. Protein is money, so they do have range of feed recipes depending on what you are aiming for. I have really come to like using whole grains / scratch grains with the higher % feed to cut it. I got really lucky and found a mill that makes their own 20% and has 24# pretty close to home.

 

[SunnySkies]

IME, having butchered several roos of those breeds, go with a higher protein. They need all the help they can get to make muscle. I butchered mine at 6 months, when they were driving me crazy, and they were definitely not like a chicken you see at the store. Any younger, and I can't see how it would even have been worth the work. My birds have feed twice a day and free range, all of them, even the meat birds.

Look into turkey grower. I raised my FR on a combination of that and a 20% feed and just butchered the most beautiful birds. They were a bit big but that was from going a bit long on them. The Australorpes will be fine with it.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

IME, having butchered several roos of those breeds, go with a higher protein. They need all the help they can get to make muscle. I butchered mine at 6 months, when they were driving me crazy, and they were definitely not like a chicken you see at the store. Any younger, and I can't see how it would even have been worth the work. My birds have feed twice a day and free range, all of them, even the meat birds.

Look into turkey grower. I raised my FR on a combination of that and a 20% feed and just butchered the most beautiful birds. They were a bit big but that was from going a bit long on them. The Australorpes will be fine with it.

At six months were they tough? I will process the JG and the stupid Wyandotte very soon. I don't even think the wyandotte is going to be worth my time to process. We gave him a look over and he is all wire beneath that fluff, so I will probably stick with giblets on him. I just want him gone, he is SO mean.

Next year I want 20 meat birds. I am thinking about doing 10 free rangers, I am not crazy about the hybrids. Our CX were just terrible, messy and sad birds. I also want to give Dark Cornish and the Naked Neck Turkens a try. Any experience with those breeds?