Newbie Questions

[UBkevy]

I have found a processor so it is game on for meat birds. I have had egg layers for a year now so I have some of the basics down, but I hear meat birds are another animal. I am thinking of building a chicken tractor 12 feet by 12 feet about 2.5 feet tall. I am wondering how many meat birds that is comfortable handling? I am thinking Cornish Rocks for now maybe trying black or red broilers later in the summer. I wonder at what age meat birds can handle cool temps as in 40-45 at nite since that will be the temps here in a few weeks. Also do most broilers crow before they heat 6-8lbs when I would send them to the slaughterhouse. Lastly is it safe to mix crack corn or other common grain with high protein meat bird feed to reduce costs and if so how much would that stunt growth. If there is anything else I might be missing please tell me I am a blank slate.

 

[jaku]

-12x12 is a big tractor. You don't need it to be 2.5 feet tall unless you want to, for some reason. They don't really fly. My broiler tractor is 2ft tall, and it doesn't even need to be that tall. Not a problem either way though. You should be able to get 75-100 in there, although, I would STRONGLY suggest starting with 25 until you get the hang of it. 75-100 is a lot to manage, especially just getting started in meaties.

-At three weeks, they can handle freezing temps TECHNICALLY. If I were you, I'd keep them in the brooder for three weeks, even if the temps are a little higher than freezing. Or, you can throw a heat lamp out there with them at night. It may not be crucial, but I think it helps them a bit. I do it until it's WARM at night.

-You won't hear them crow before you butcher them.

-On the feed, there will already be corn in it, so you will just be diluting the nutrient content by adding more to the mix. Plus, doing that on your own will give you an inconsistant mixture. You're better off sticking to broiler feed. However, if you want to cut costs AND get better feed, avoid the prebagged TSC crap. Go to a mill and have them grind and mix your feed on site, in bulk. You will cut your feed by about half. The catch is you need to buy in bulk- probably 500 pounds minimum, but 25 broilers will eat 500 pounds over the course of their lives. I usually figure about 500 pounds for each 25 birds.