Meat birds and Layers

[tiadragon]

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this question, but I figured I would start here so as not to offend any sensitivities on the Layer-Only side...

Briefly, we bought 4 straight run chicks who are now almost 6 weeks. Turns out, 2 BPR are roos, which we can't keep in the city. Our plan was to cull any roos by making them meat birds (with a good life!)

So my question is, can we keep the meat birds and the layers together? We currently just have a tractor, so there's a space issue, and I also believe that meat birds are supposed to get a different diet (?)

All help is appreciated!!

Tia

 

[greyfields]

Well, in order to get the roos to a decent weight, they'll need to be 15+ weeks and you should get them on a broiler ration ASAP. You could also just keep them on their starter for that duration, but it will probably cost you a few extra bucks.

By 15 weeks, they'll be roosters and will harass your pullets. This may or may not matter to you. But it will be sterssful on the pullets.

 

[estpr13]

Very good answer. And usually well before the 15 weeks. My father now in his mid 70's keeps telling me to process the roosters at 3½ #s. But I cage them seperately from my hens and wait until I need one. Plus it's weight really depends on the breed of bird. My bantams never get above 2¼ #s.