New chicks coming, heritage breeds for layers and meat, what should I feed them?

[SanCarlos6127]

I ordered 15 chicks last night, mostly to replace some of my older layers but I also ordered some White Rocks, and Delaware Roos to try for meat.

I want to maximize meat production on the roos I plan to slaughter and am wondering what I should feed them and if I can feed them the same food as the layers I ordered up to the 20 week mark or so...

Thanks!

 

[keesmom]

Did you order them from a hatchery? If so, hatcheries tend to concentrate on the egg laying abilities of the pullets rather than the dual purpose aspects of a breed. That doesn't mean you won't have good eatings though.

I feed all my birds an all flock feed. I don't feel like messing around with different feeds so everyone gets Blue Seal's Multi Flock crumbles (formerly known as gamebird crumbles). Layers get oyster shell on the side. You could also give chick starter right up to laying age (or beyond if you give oyster shell to layers). So yes, you can feed your meat cockerels and layer pullets the same feed.

 

[SanCarlos6127]

Thanks for your reply. I will start them on chick starter and switch over to one of the "flock raiser" feeds until they reach 19 or 20 weeks.

They are hatchery stock from McMurray, so I'm not expecting much, but I wanted a few particular breeds for a low price and they had what I was looking for.

I also do need the rocks to be decent layers, so it is somewhat of a compromise.