Layers and meat birds

[Brooks]

I am new to this and am real intrigued as I have three layers that reside in their tractor and am wondering if meat birds can coincide. I am getting 2-3 eggs a week and want to slowly move forward. Thanks Brooks

 

[acid_chipmunk]

I had my meat birds in with my layers (even though they are only 7 weeks and not laying yet) and had to remove them because the meaties are too aggressive with the food. They were pushing my layers out of the way and the layers couldn't eat. Also, I found that the meaties were a tad on the hyper side, though I know as they get older this will stop. They were a month younger than the layers, but the same size, so hubby thought they could all get along. The meatie roos were chasing and chest bumping my layers and I was not happy with this.

I guess it would all depend on how many you were getting, but if your layers are already laying eggs, I would advise against it. A big change like that could make them stop laying for a while.


Good luck!

 

[faykokoWV]

If you're willing to wait on the meat, you could always get some dual purpose birds such as Buckeyes. Eat the roos and keep the hens as layers, eat them or sell them.

 

[Olive Hill]

If by "meaties" you're asking about Cornish X, no.

Technically, the birds can coexist peacefully together without any issues whatsoever. Logistically however, it's not as easy. Your layers are probably accustomed to (and should have access to) essentially free-choice feed. Cornish X, past the 2nd or 3rd week of life on the other hand, will need their feed rationed to ward off fatal leg and heart complications.

As someone else mentioned however, a dual purpose breed can be kept with your layers full-time, will take a little longer to grow out, but will provide some very tasty meat without the need for additional housing. Buckeyes are one breed, but can be a bit more difficult to come by at this point. Australorps, Brahmas, Dorkings, etc. are also options. Just know that in any batch of dual purpose birds you get from a hatchery you will have some that meet breed standard sizes but plenty of others who do not. That is, while the breeds are good for meat and eggs hatchery stock often grows out to smaller sizes than what actual breed standard dictates so your best bet if you go the hatchery route is to plan to keep the best hens and roo out of your first batch for growing your own decently sized birds in the future.

 

[Brooks]

Hi, as stated previously I am new to this whole game , so I am going to be full of questions. # 1, I have no idea how to identify the breed I obtained. #2, can I put the fowl in a forested area and let them free range instead of a pasture. It would work with my property. Thanks,Brooks

 

[Olive Hill]

What do you mean by the "breed you obtained"? Do you already have meat chicks?

You can allow them to free range (regardless of breed), but they will need to be locked up at night unless your goal is to feed local predators instead of your family. Whether or not the wooded area is appropriate for free ranging will depend on the lay of the land and the concentration of daytime predators there.

 

[Lothiriel]

We are getting meat chickens (Red Broilers and something called a Rainbow Dixie - or Dixie Rainbow, can't remember which - along with some Delawares), and we are planning on putting them in with our current flock of layers. We're going to need a bigger coop, but during the day they will be out ranging in their big (really big) yard. Olive Hill is right - you'll need to lock them up at night.

Brooks, you should try posting some pictures of your birds - folks on here are very helpful in determining breeds.

Oh, and

 

[Brooks]

Hi all, new problem, my 3 girls have stopped laying and am not sure what is going on. Any Ideas? Thanks Brooks.

 

[unionwirewoman]

You're going to find that you'll get many different answers up here . Everyone draws off of personal experience . I have always kept my meaties with my layers . I don't ration feed either . I've only had one out of the numerous years of raising them that had any type of leg problems . My advice is to put both together...then seee how it goes . Make sure you have them penned up though.....they do make tasty treats .

As for your hens not laying now......They're animals and they do things that we don't understand . I've had 30 layers at a time go through this for 3 months . Sometimes it's the weather , sometimes molting....you just never know ! Hope you find a good plan .....you'll get some good info up here .