Mixed Chicks

[Camshaft]

First off Hi to everyone.....I'm from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. I've just ordered my first chicks..... 8 Golden Comets and 6 Meat Kings. I'm building my chicken coop and getting ready for June when I'll be picking them up at our local Co-Op. Can I feed these chickens the same food? Do I have to separate them? Thanks much in advance............

 

[LarryPQ]

No, meat birds need to be fed a different food and should be seperated from your laying flock. There are some REALLY good stickies in the meaties forum about raising meat birds.

You should also visit the learing center (blue link at top of the page) for some better information on raising chicks.

 

[Camshaft]

Thanks much for your help....I'll check out the "meaties" forum.

 

[Camshaft]

Hmm.... I spoke to the good people at our local Farmers Co-Op re keeping golden Comet chicks and Meat King chick's together and they said there's no problem with that due to the fact that both chicks will eat the same food till the golden comets start to lay and by that time the meat kings will be ready for the freezer? I sure would like to know what would be the right thing to do cause I would not want any of them to suffer for no reason........... Can you guys help me out???

 

[LarryPQ]

My understanding is meaties need higher-protien food for the entirety of their (short) life. Otherwise you get cannabalism, malnutrition, and early heart attacks.