How to cut down on feed cost?

[kristen_k]

Hi!
I am trying to think of ways to cut down on feed cost. I have gone through 6, 40lb bags in 4 weeks with 50 (now 46) CX's. I was thinking maybe mixing in some cracked corn, if I do that how much should I mix in? I am new to this, I do know if I feed cracked corn they will need grit. How do I go about giving them the stuff??? Do i just scatter it in their feed or what?? Any ideas would be tremendously helpful!

oh! I am feeding 12 on 12 off.

Thanks,
Kristen

 

[Country Parson]

If you thought the first 4 weeks was bad, the last 4 will be a world-class nightmare! At 4 weeks they haven't even worked up an appetite yet!

In my limited experience no grit is needed for cracked corn. If you like a nice layer of fat on your birds (I do), then mixing in cracked corn is a good idea. Raising 50 meaties is going to be expensive....no ifs, ands, or buts about it. But, if done well and if slaughtered at 7 weeks (no later than 8 for sure) you can keep your prices down. I was about $1.46 per lb when all was said and done (butchered at 8 weeks). That clearly is no bargain chicken, but its not horrible either.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

we go to butcher in two days . . . mine are going through a bag of feed A DAY!!!
table scraps are a great source of protein

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

I finally opened the tractor up this evening to see how well my cornish would free range. To my surprise, they went crazy and fed for two hours. It was all I could do to get them back in the tractor! I would have to geuss that for me atleast, that will help as long as they continue. They are right at 4 weeks and getting big and hungry it appears. Im aiming for the 7 week mark to butcher, my pasture is full of alafalfa, chickweed, clover and such. I have 25 Freedom rangers due here thursday for a back to back comparison

 

[ghulst]

Start with a liitle cracked corn then go to whole corn. Grit wouldn't hurt. The birds will love it and it will cut your cost. I raise cornishX to about 12-16 weeks and dress 10-12 lbs. They get mostly corn the last 8 weeks.

 

[kristen_k]

How do I go about making sure they get grit? Do i just scatter it or put it into a dish?

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Quote:
Adding straight cracked corn will not help reduce the cost per pound of meat. By adding the cracked corn you will reduce the broilers daily protein intake which will reduce lean tissue growth, increase fat deposition, and result in a fatty carcass with less muscle. Since the birds will not be consuming the correct amount and ratio of nutrients it will actually take MORE feed to get your birds to slaughter weight than if you stayed on the formulated feed.

While you might save feed costs in the end I don't see how it is worth it by risking the quality of the carcass. Beside you only have 50 birds.

Jim

 

[Buster52]

I have my own mixed and bagged at a mill, which results in basically half the cost of commercial feed.

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

Quote:
+1

 

[QCFChicks]

Quote:
+1

What do you have the mill put in your mixture? I am wanting to use just grain and get away from the commercial feed for the meaties I'm wanting to do later this yr.