How much feed will cornish x rocks eat before slaughter?

[Oceanseve]

Just crunching some numbers. We don't have space for free range. Just curious how many lbs I can expect each chicken to go through by 8 weeks.... Thanks for the help!

 

[bigredfeather]

Fifteen pounds each is a safe assumtion.

 

[Oceanseve]

Thanks! My other Q would be what feed do most of you do? I've heard diff opinions from feed stores, starter beginning to end, starter then scratch, starter then game feed.... help?

 

[blueskylen]

We used the Tractor supply brand - high protein

 

[bigredfeather]

I use a 23% unmedicated feed the whole time. I have read that many here on the BYC use a higher protein feed, but 23% works good for me. After two weeks old, I feel it's best to feed 12 hours with feed, 12 hours without. If you do this, it will help them from over eating which will decrease unwanted early deaths. A few may die for no apparent reason. This is one of the undesirable traits of the Cornish X. I was told by someone who used to raised 10,000 a year that losing 1 in 12 is typical, which is about what I've expirienced.

Hope this helps.

 

[jaku]

I feed 20% protein unmedicated broiler mix. I think anything over 20 is fine. I do 12 on, 12 off. I agree on the death rate bigredfeather mentioned- I've experienced similar.

 

[Oceanseve]

I can't find a single feed store that has grower/broiler, starter/grower medicated is all I can find.... any recs on where to find it online - cheap?

 

[dadof4]

I also use the Tractor Supply Brand, Dumor. They make a 24% protein I use from start to finish. I also do the 12 on 12 off.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Quote:
Locate a purina dealer--I get mine from purina.

 

[Curly Girls]

2lbs of feed per 1lb of weight gain is the ideal feed conversion. We shoot for 6.5-7lbs live weight. That products about a 5.5lb carcus.

Cornish X hens typically gain 2oz a day the first week and then go to 4oz a day for the next few weeks, slowing down at about 8-10 weeks.

Cocks gain a little quicker, and are usually ready at 8-10 weeks, hens at 10-12 weeks. We usually order hens. 12 hours on 12 hours off on feed is a good idea. They grow so fast, it's better for their health.

Any feed over 20% should be fine. However, protein is protein. The more they have, the more they grow.

If you can't find unmedicated feed, find a feed store. TSC isn't much of a feed store. They carry feed, but only what's mainsteam and it usually costs more. Starter was $14 a bag at TSC, 24% from local feed store was $9. Google feed store in your City, try purina's website for dealers. You can also try the yellow pages (online) for feed stores in a city that is not too far, but in the country.

We usually do 100 a year, 50 for us and 50 for friends...