meat birds dying

[Dearsrock]

I'm having the exact same problem. This is my third batch. Lost one in the first batch early. Lost two around 6 wks last batch. third batch, lost 4 this week and they are just barely past 6 wks. I lost 3 in the first week, but that happens. First two batches I butchered at 8 wks. And the thing is the birds that are dying now are smaller than the others. And overall the birds are smaller than the last two batches. First two batches came from McMurrey, last from another hatchery ~ can't remember the name, starts with a "sch". I thought maybe feed is an issue, don't know. First batch started on chicken starter, switched to turkey starter for last four weeks. Batch two used turkey started the entire time. Some one told me to just reverse what I did on the first batch and start with higher protein then go to the chick starter. Quite frankly, I think I'm just going to go back to buying at the store, it's cheaper and I get the parts I want without the hassle.

Renee
S CA

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
I've had to learn this the hard way and I've been through hundreds of tons of feed in the last few years to finally get it right. Start with a 22% medicated or non if you want to stay organic for the first two weeks. After the two weeks, feed them just a 16-18% corn based ration. Usually it consist of 1500 pounds corn to 500 pounds supplement or 3-1. You can make your own if you had access to whole corn.

Either way, 16% grower is a lot cheaper than the 28% turkey starter. Probably half the price and does just as good if not better. Your chicks might not be getting the right balance of nutrition and the higher protein isn't always a good thing. People think, higher protein... faster and bigger growing birds. When in fact temperature and water are more of an issue especially for backyard "meatie" raisers. Big temp swings are not good for cornish x's try to keep them from getting too hot or too cold. Never let the water run out, even at night my broilers seek out the water under the moonlight...Keep water in front of them 24/7.

One thing to watch when feeding that higher protein for that long is to not overfeed them. Are you feeding them 24/7? if so stop, and go to a more natural eating cycle. I try to feed mine 15-18 hours a day.

 

[Dearsrock]

Thanks jeff! first two times i fed sunup to sundown after 2 wks. this time i followed a suggestion to feed x amount of feed per bird, upping weekly till wk 8. sigh! so to clarify, you think its a feed issue? temps here very moderate in s. ca. two autowater dishes in the pen. i am very open to more suggestions. renee