Meat Chicken Feeding Space per Bird & Protein Content

[JohnL11935]

My buddy and I ordered 50 Cornish X birds from McMurray for delivery in two weeks.

Over the weekend we built a 12' x 8' x 4' high tractor.

This weekend I plan on building one of those plywood feed hoppers that seem to be getting real popular.


My question is how much feed space do I need to allow per bird?


Also, my feed dealer sells "Southern States" feed. The "All Grain Grow-n-Finish" contains 17% protein, while the "All Grain Poultry Starter" is 20%. Their recommendation is to feed starter from 0 to 5 weeks, then finisher from 5 weeks to butchering. I plan to augment feed with cracked corn the final 10 days to 2 weeks.


Does this feed and schedule sound OK to all you veterans? Is the 17% protein content enough?




Thanks.

 

[GraceAK]

Usually meat birds get 21% feed for their entire life, I think, or something like that. Also, I thought Southern States had issues with their feed, putting corn cobs in it or something like that. I may be wrong.

I would like to know about the space too. I want to get meat birds but my DM isn't too thrilled with the idea

 

[JohnL11935]

Has anyone else heard about problems with Southern States feeds?

 

[happyhensny]

Southern States seems to make my chickens smell worse than the local feed mills feed. It is especially more noticable in the winter - deep litter. I heard somewhere that there is more "animal protein" in it. Not sure what that is - animal parts?

 

[BirdBrain]

Don't know what hopper you are talking about but round feeders allow more chickens to eat. If it is a straight feeder think about chickens standing shoulder to shoulder and you end up needeing abot 7-8 inches per bird. You need to make it so everyone can eat at tge same time.

 

[the simple life]

I have a large round feeder but I also have ten feet of feeder space for my meatbirds by using aluminum gutters screwed to the wall.
Plenty of room for everyone.

 

[daleeper]

Quote:
Checking the extension publication I have in front of me from Michigan State says 250-300 linear inches per 100 chicks for feeder space.

As for feed, most recommendations I've seen will be for 22-24% protein for the full life cycle of a broiler chicken. You would probably be alright with the 20% all the way through, but I wouldn't use the 17% myself, and would not add corn at the end of the feeding period. Their protein levels are low to start with, then when you cut it with corn, you are definitely going to be shorting them on protein. Why do you want to add corn the last couple of weeks?