My own Meaties Experiment

[kizanne]

Update Day 13 (from birth day 11 since I've had them)

Minimum
weight in ounces Overall growth Weekly gain

Minimum
2.79 68% 15%

Average
7.07 339% 25%

Maximum
9.24 460% 33%


So they are still getting organic 19% feed but I've switched from starter to broiler just bigger. I've slowed down on the mealworm feeding but they still get them and the two smallest get them twice a day.

As you can see they are much bigger now then when I received them.

 

[kizanne]

Day 14 1/2 since I've had them

Min.

3.95 ounces 138% of original weight


Average

9.29 ouces 480% of original weight


Max.

12.56 ounces 643% of original weight.

 

[kizanne]

Merry Christmas Meaties


It was a nice day here in Florida so I took them out today for some outside range time. I'm finding that so far they still have lots of chicken behaviors they scratched and hunted bugs. They ate some of the greenery but this was the first greens. They've had mealworms since day 1 after grit. They hunted bugs they like stink bugs.

 

[wyoDreamer]

They look pretty happy out there in the greens!

Thanks for your updates.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas yourself!

and have a Happy New Year!

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I

anything that eats a stink bug!!!!!

 

[Tracydr]

I recently read something that said Darkling beetle larva ( mealworms) have an anti growth factor in them which is a big problem in large broiler houses, due to Darkling beetles being such a huge pest in broiler houses. Have you seen anything about this in researching your project?
Your chicks look great!

 

[kizanne]

No I haven't heard this. I expect mine to grow not as fast as the Welp chart for a couple reasons. The threads I've read on here most don't get that growth and I am using only 19% protein not 21 or higher like many. I will also be giving them greens which will slow down the protein some more but hopefully will build a better chicken just like it does for the egg. They are eating and pooping like crazy now. I'll be weighing again today or tomorrow I expect I'll have several over 1 lb. Friday will be the end of week 3

 

[kizanne]

Well week 3 1/2 (day 24)

Min.
8.47 oz. Have about 3 that just are growing very slowly

Avg.
20.13 oz. approx. 1.25 lbs

Max
29.04 oz. 1.8 lbs.


They are going to be in the brooder which is probably a little too small til the weekend because it is going to be really chilly tonight and tomorrow.

they are eating about on schedule with the Welp chart the growth isn't the same so I expect they will be 10 week birds instead of 8 week birds. We will see.

 

[kizanne]

Well they are about 5 days past being fun LOL. I had them in the house for brooder cause I didn't want to wait til spring. They have reached the large, stinky stage.

I couldn't keep them fed the last couple days so I switched feeders and threw them outside.

They are 4 weeks and

Avg. 28.57 oz.
Min 11.82 oz.
Max 41.13 oz.

You can see they are growing slowly but I haven't went through 100 lbs. like I'm supposed to have so I think they need more feed. I believe I have that problem solved.

I do have one that has started feather picking. If he doesn't stop soon with the increased feed then he's going to become a cornish hen.

I'm really worried they'll turn on each other with the blood from the feather picking. They really seemed to enjoy their greens today as they were in their new outdoor pen which has been seeded with rye grass.

I'm sure we'll have to keep them til 10 weeks but I'm hoping that will be it. We'll see.

They are still acting like chickens, scratching around, trying to fly alittle and the boys are all chest bumping.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

I'm really enjoying this thread, Kizanne!

I'm a fellow "worm wrangler", and I think I'll also feed mealworms to my meaties when I get them in a few months. I KNOW I won't have the patience to weigh them that often, though!