how much feed will they need?

PetitePlume

Songster
Dec 20, 2017
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120
126
Dawson City, Yukon
Hello! I'll be getting big white meat birds ( don't know the breed).The ones ready in 6 (!!!) weeks. I live un a remote area ( feed store at 530 kms away one way) but have the opportunity to get my feed up here all at one.
Is there a guide line that could give me an idea on how much food they would need?
I know the t° would influence quite a bit the amount of feed needed, I would just like a idea. 15 lbs/bird? 30?
Thanks ahead!
 
They are Cornish/Rock crosses.
You'll get a good idea from this chart.
https://organicfeedstore.com/feed-consumption.htmSome people limit feed for meat birds like those to keep them from growing too fast. I don't do that. If you already have chickens, you know they are voracious eaters and will eat something if their crops are empty. To prevent coccidiosis, keep feeders full and bedding bone dry.
If you are saying you are going to pick up the chicks and feed at the same time, make sure the feed is very fresh when you pick it up. Since you'll have them 6-7 weeks, if you start with feed 2 months old, that isn't the best situation. Try not to feed anything milled 3 months earlier.
I normally don't recommend making one's own feed but since you are so far away from a feed store, I'm including the following link for things you can feed that may be available locally.
https://wholefedhomestead.com/homemade-organic-baby-chick-starter-feed-recipe/Good luck.
 
I did a batch of 25 Red Broilers that in 9 weeks they consumed 550lbs of feed. So that is roughly 22lbs of feed per bird. They all dressed out at about 5-5.75 lbs.
I would get 20-22 lbs of feed per bird and process when I am done with my feed.
Hope that helps
 
Depending on how much feed is wasted, your Cornishx birds will likely eat less feed than the Red Broilers above. Part of the story will be about weather conditions too, as they will need to eat a bit more to stay warm in colder weather.
Limiting feed to (maybe) ten hours daily may help slow down the heart and joint issues that kill many of these chicks, especially if you try to grow them to large sizes.
Minimum feed consumption is in the 2.2 pounds of feed per pound of gain, and I'd plan for more. So, birds would take maybe fifteen to sixteen pounds of feed to reach seven pounds body weight.
Does that sound about right?
I've actually never tried to figure it out exactly here. :oops:
Mary
 

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