HELP! I am confused about best feed for Cornish X.

[honeydoll]

I have been told so many different things I am getting frustrated. Could somebody set me straight. What is the best feed for Cornishes? I was told grower/ finisher then someone said I need broiler -- HELP. Are they the same? My chickens are doing well and nice and plump but I am really confused about this. This is my first batch of meaties and I thought I was doing it right to find out I made a lot of mistakes and really want to know how best to raise these beasts. I processed one, very tasty. But I just want to know I am doing this right. Can someone give me solid advice on raising Cornish x from feed to any other needs they may have.

 

[jaku]

Haha, unfortunately, (or possibly fortunately depending on how you look at it,) there is no RIGHT answer. Everyone does it a little bit different. What I've learned is that these aren't the fragile birds people make you worry about before you start raising them. You don't have to be strict with what you do, and they still turn out fine. Personally, I feed broiler feed (20-22% protein,) from day one until processing day. It makes it a whole lot simpler than switching feeds, and their growth is pretty steady over their short, 8 week lifespans, so I think they benefit more from the high protein broiler feed the whole way through than whatever would be different by giving them starter, grower, then finisher. I understand giving layers different feeds, as their bodies change and are doing much different things in their first year from growing to egg production, but I feel that when your birds' total life is two months, you want to just focus on growth. I have noticed a BIG difference in my birds' health by feeding them at MOST 12 hours per day.

 

[Bossroo]

For decades I raised RIR, NHR, and BR. Raising them, I learned a few things, that for my environmental conditions and needs, they didn't perform in a timely manner. So the search was on . Then I discovered the Cornish X . I have been very successful with feeding my Cornish X 22% protein from start to finish. After 2-3 weeks of age,Feed them for 12 hours during the day then take away their feed for 12 hours at night. This is what the commercial farms do and they raise them by the millions at a profit. Then I add my little twist learned from raising the dual purpose birds but with the time factor cut by at least a half to reach the desired weight... When they reach the weight that I want, I still feed their feed ration and I top dress some cracked corn on top for a week to 2 weeks to add a nice layer of fat to the muscles, under and in the skin. This fat adds flavor ( fat is what gives flavor to all classes of meat) and contributes to tenderness. Good luck.

 

[honeydoll]

Whew. Thank you so much. Now I feel like I have solid direction to go with. THANKS, THANKS,THANKS!!!!! Where do I find broiler feed, my local TSC doesn't have it. Does it say broiler feed on the bag? You guys have beens so helpful thanks.

 

[jaku]

Yeah, you don't want to get it at TSC if you can help it anyway. Go to a feed mill and ask for broiler feed. If you don't have any feed mills, you can get it at TSC, but it's not called "broiler feed," rather I believe gamebird feed, and I believe it's 22% protein, made by Dumor. TSC tends to be MUCH more expensive than mills.

 

[mtnhomechick]

If you can't get meat maker or broiler feed you can just feed them starter/grower......as long as it's 18% minimum protein. Some people on here feed corn for the last week or two to fatten them up.....if you like them that way.

Hope this helps.

Mary