How do I put weight on my birds!!!???

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Have you wormed them? If you're feeding them adequate protein and they have all they can eat and they're eating good but are still not gaining, perhaps a good worming is in order. Gather up a good sample of everyone's poop, take it to your vet and ask for a float test to see what kind, if any, worms might be present. Eggs may be microscopic. Treat for what the vet says they find. Even a vet that does not treat birds can do this. Good luck!

You probably will not find chicken wormer at the feed store. Valbazen liquid goat wormer will work fine. Give 1/2 ml orally by syringe (no needle), then again 10 days later. For layers, discard eggs during treatment and for 14 days after.
 
Did you say some are pullets?
If so, sell those as layers of their respective breeds. You should be able to get $20 each for half grown Lavender Orpingtons. $15 if a little younger. About $5 less for more commonly sold breeds.
If you wait until POL (point of lay) you can ask $25-$30... although you will have put more into them, you also have more eager buyers in my experience.
But Summer is a better sales season than Fall. So if you can find buyers now, all the better.
If any customers are willing to take free cockerels, I'd throw those in so you can save on feed costs.

A whole meat chicken at the store is $5. So every pullet you sell should get you 3-4 times as much meat.

No matter what, you've lost money. It's a question of how much more you want to lose, because growing out chickens is the most expensive part.


As for feeding, it's protein that grows meat. You don't want them fatter, just bigger. The milk is fine but I'd really limit anything that's not their feed to 10% or less of their diet, because a diluted protein ratio will not help them finish out.
Hope this helps...
 
SourRoses said:
Did you say some are pullets?
If so, sell those as layers of their respective breeds. You should be able to get $20 each for half grown Lavender Orpingtons. $15 if a little younger. About $5 less for more commonly sold breeds.
If you wait until POL (point of lay) you can ask $25-$30... although you will have put more into them, you also have more eager buyers in my experience.
But Summer is a better sales season than Fall. So if you can find buyers now, all the better.
If any customers are willing to take free cockerels, I'd throw those in so you can save on feed costs.

A whole meat chicken at the store is $5. So every pullet you sell should get you 3-4 times as much meat.

No matter what, you've lost money. It's a question of how much more you want to lose, because growing out chickens is the most expensive part.


As for feeding, it's protein that grows meat. You don't want them fatter, just bigger. The milk is fine but I'd really limit anything that's not their feed to 10% or less of their diet, because a diluted protein ratio will not help them finish out.
Hope this helps...
Click to expand...
I do not suggest selling any of these birds. The OP mentioned, in their last post, that they have Mareks in their flock. Not wise to sell birds that have Mareks or been exposed to it
 
The chicken feed is fine, don't try to make your own! I agree about having a fecal run, given their origin, more than coccidia is very possible. have you checked at night for mites or lice? Another parasite issue that will impact their growth.
They won't be as big as those Cornishx meat birds, but get them in the freezer anyway, before they start having Marek's symptoms.
Jersey Giants grow slowly, vary in size, and aren't meant to be in the freezer for several months, at least.
This is a sad learning experience for you, sorry.
Your most economical plan would be to buy vaccinated Cornishx chicks, isolate them completely from exposure to your Marek's environment for two weeks, and grow them out for the freezer. Or, other real meat breeds like the Freedom Ranger types (my favorites) and manage them the same way.
And don't go back to this person again!
Mary
 
These breeds are not for meat so they may never get big at all. I own all of these breeds, my Australorp never got big, not even the rooster. all but one of the Orpingtons I have owned have gotten big, and the Jersey Giants, well there is no giant about the ones I have owned. That's my experience at least.

I think you would get more food letting them lay eggs and finding ways to pickle or freeze the eggs. You didn't get meat chickens, so you can never expect to have these huge birds, no matter how much or what you feed them.

Next time getting chickens, I would order from a hatchery instead of a breeder and have them sent to you. You are guaranteed to get what you order that way.
 
What @GirlsHuntToo said. We've ordered CornishX before and usually harvest them starting at 4 or 5 weeks, up to 8 weeks. Read some threads in the Meat Birds sections here. Some let them grow out for longer than that but the point is they are ready in weeks, not months. All of ours dressed out at over 4#.
 
MamaPoult said:
Hey everyone, I really need your help. So I originally bought 30 Jersey Giants a few months ago. When I picked them up they were 1 month old. The birds were in awful shape. Very malnourished, sickly and very aggressive. They had the worst case of Coccidiosis I have ever seen. I finally got them over their illness a week later. I am free feeding them since they are for meat. I have realized the individual I purchased them completely boned me over and sold me 7 Australorps, 8 JG's and 15 Lavender Orpingtons. I cannot put weight on these birds! This is our winters worth of meat! Does anyone have any tips on how to fatten them up. They are 4 months now and like maybe 2 pounds. Guys I am so let down. I am feeding raw goat milk since I am backed up on that. It is 80 degrees and corn makes my birds hot so I am not feeding that. I would highly appreciate any tips you may have we're just trying to provide for our family. Thank you.
Click to expand...
You have Lavender Orpingtons? What are they like? Are they friendly? I’ve been meaning to get some, but they aren’t in stock at my local feed store.
 

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