The hatchery I'm ordering my meaties from has this to say on their special care.
Special Care Considerations for White Rocks
FEED RESTRICTIONS
Start the chicks on 20 or 22% chick starter. Once the birds have reached 5 to 6 weeks of age, feed restriction can be used to slow down growth and promote a healthier bird. Feed what the birds can eat in 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times per day. Caution must be used, as too little feed can leave the bird malnourished. A vitamin supplement in the water can be used during feed restriction.
LIGHTING
Start chicks with 24 hours of light for 4 days, then introduce a dark period. (Heat lamps must stay on.) When chicks reach 5 weeks of age, darkness can be increased. The period of darkness will reduce the feed consumption as well as stimulate melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the bird to help the immune system fight disease.
TEMPERATURE
Pay particular attention to the temperature guidelines outlined above under "Heat Source."
AIR QUALITY
Air quality is very important in the prevention of Ascities. Poor ventilation, extreme temperatures, and spores from moldy litter can all affect the bird's breathing. In chilly weather, it is better to supply extra heat and open a window than to subject the birds to a stuffy room with insufficient oxygen.
As An Alternative:
If you lack the facilities or patience to provide the optimum conditions preferred by White Rocks, consider raising our Special Dual Purpose breed. They won't grow as big or as fast as the White Rocks, but you should experience lower mortality and few health problems. And because the Special Dual Purpose birds grow more slowly, many people find their meat to be firmer and tastier than that of the White Rock.
I'm planning on housing them in a tractor outside, so I'm confused as to what they're talking about with lighting..
How early did you guys put yours outside? ... It gets quite hot here during the summer and it's still rather hot at night here.
We're planning on ordering 20-30 chicks, probably 30.
Anything I should know, care information, housing information. I want them outside ASAP as I know that they will get disgusting and stinky. We have a lot of space so I can move them around daily.
FEED RESTRICTIONS
Start the chicks on 20 or 22% chick starter. Once the birds have reached 5 to 6 weeks of age, feed restriction can be used to slow down growth and promote a healthier bird. Feed what the birds can eat in 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times per day. Caution must be used, as too little feed can leave the bird malnourished. A vitamin supplement in the water can be used during feed restriction.
LIGHTING
Start chicks with 24 hours of light for 4 days, then introduce a dark period. (Heat lamps must stay on.) When chicks reach 5 weeks of age, darkness can be increased. The period of darkness will reduce the feed consumption as well as stimulate melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the bird to help the immune system fight disease.
TEMPERATURE
Pay particular attention to the temperature guidelines outlined above under "Heat Source."
AIR QUALITY
Air quality is very important in the prevention of Ascities. Poor ventilation, extreme temperatures, and spores from moldy litter can all affect the bird's breathing. In chilly weather, it is better to supply extra heat and open a window than to subject the birds to a stuffy room with insufficient oxygen.
As An Alternative:
If you lack the facilities or patience to provide the optimum conditions preferred by White Rocks, consider raising our Special Dual Purpose breed. They won't grow as big or as fast as the White Rocks, but you should experience lower mortality and few health problems. And because the Special Dual Purpose birds grow more slowly, many people find their meat to be firmer and tastier than that of the White Rock.
I'm planning on housing them in a tractor outside, so I'm confused as to what they're talking about with lighting..
How early did you guys put yours outside? ... It gets quite hot here during the summer and it's still rather hot at night here.
We're planning on ordering 20-30 chicks, probably 30.
Anything I should know, care information, housing information. I want them outside ASAP as I know that they will get disgusting and stinky. We have a lot of space so I can move them around daily.