Please help a newbie!!

[ninny]

I finally conviced my DH to let me try meat birds. I will be rasing them in a tractor. I am getting cornish cross. But i've never done meat birds before. What do i feed them? Heres my opitons for feed.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/product..._feed_equipment/feed/agrimaster/?b=Agrimaster


http://www.farmandfleet.com/product..._feed_equipment/feed/agrimaster/?b=Agrimaster

How often do i feed them? Can i raise them with layers in the brooder? How soon can they go outside? Its still in the low fiftys at night. Would they be ok outside with out a light? Like i said im a total meat bird newbie. Thanks!!!

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:
The second one says that it's for broilers so that looks good. Best to keep them separate as they soil more than layers and eat continuously. They need the same heat as dayolds, that layer chicks need so go from there. I'm hopiing that more experienced people will answer you about meat birds but here's a boost.

 

[ninny]

Thanks!! I waas hopeing that untill they go outside they could be raised with layer chicks. Doesnt sound that way though.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

We raise meat birds and you want them on a high protein diet - 21% or better. Read the ingredient label or ask at the feed store - sometimes you have to get "Game" bird feed for it to be high enough. These birds are breed to be at butcher weight in 8 weeks, therefore you need to feed a bit different. Feed in the morning and then pull the food around 2:00pm or 3:00pm to help avoid leg problems that can develop. Make sure they have plenty of water they drink like crazy.

Keep them under heat lamps just like any other baby birds and gradually reduce the heat. No perches since it will cause leg problems. These birds will prefer to lay around a lot and don't be worried when that is all they do. Even when given the chance to walk around they will get lay there.

Keep litter in brooder as clean as possible - these birds can be really stinky if you let them go too long.

Hope that helps - I'm sure others will offer more advise.

 

[ninny]

Just to make sure i have this right. Feed the meat bird from day one. Butcher at eight weeks. Only let them have feed during the day. Is the feed thing only when they are bigger or from the start? Im going to put them in a tractor once they feather out. Anything special to know about that? I really don't want to kill them.

 

[SteveH]

There aren't many details on those bags , I agree with the advice you've been given on protein . For the first two weeks or so they can eat non-stop and will if under lights . After that its recommended to take their feed away for 12 hours out of the day . If they're outside without artficial lights they will probably stop eating anyway when it gets dark . One bag says 10% crumbles on the front , the other says crumbles . If the particles seem large after you open the bag I might mash some in a blender [ dry LOL ] and spread it on on a paper towel on the floor of their brooder to get them started eating it , but that probably isn't necessary . Just make sure they find their water and drink , then start eating right after you get them . If feeding 25 or more I would check for prices of custom ground at local mills to see if I could save a little , there's plenty of mills in your area ; but if you have to pay a bagging fee on custom ground there may not be a huge savings , but it doesn't hurt to check .

Edt: I suddenly realized that one bag is labeled 18% Crumbles indicating protein content ; not 10% crumbles making me wonder
" What's the texture of the other 90% ? " Boy do I feel stupid . 18% protein will not give you great results in growth . Since higher protein should cost more , I would check the label on the other bag to see both bag weight and protein levels .

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Quote:
Feeding is from the start and should be the higher protein - crumbles are good at the begining but can go on pallets after about three weeks. Agree with advise from Steve H on feeding schedule.

Yes, they should be at full weight at 8 weeks - you can keep them longer but they will not grow that much and the cost of feed is not worth it. Last year (our first time raising them) our birds averaged 4 pounds at 8 weeks. We let the hens go one more week and they averaged about 4 1/2 pounds. But we felt that we were not feeding enough and changed the way we did this year so hoping for a bit bigger at 8 weeks. You should start researching the butchering process now and get ready for it. There are some YouTubes that are helpful. You will be surprised at how fast eight weeks go by.

Make sure that the birds have plenty of room. We found that if they are crowded the feeding frenzy is twice as bad and you risk them eating too fast and have heart attacks.

By the way - how many birds do you have?

 

[ninny]

I have 25 layers right now. I was thinking of getting like six meat birds just to try.

 

[peterlund]

Quote:
Just to chime in a bit... I am quite new to to chicken culture, but I did raise (from chicks) 30 hens (varied ladies) and 6 Cornish X meaties. The meaties were raised side by side and in the same coop with the other birds. They ate chick starter until they were 5 or so weeks and then i switched them all to grower (Poulin Grain for those that are wondering). No issues. All birds thrived. I butchered the first three Cornish X birds at 8 weeks and the last 3 at 10 weeks. All still were on simple grower pellets. They (the Cornish X) are far from troublesome... They grew fast and were pleasant ladies and gentlemen. Just use yur instinct. They will do fine.

 

[ninny]

Quote:
Just to chime in a bit... I am quite new to to chicken culture, but I did raise (from chicks) 30 hens (varied ladies) and 6 Cornish X meaties. The meaties were raised side by side and in the same coop with the other birds. They ate chick starter until they were 5 or so weeks and then i switched them all to grower (Poulin Grain for those that are wondering). No issues. All birds thrived. I butchered the first three Cornish X birds at 8 weeks and the last 3 at 10 weeks. All still were on simple grower pellets. They (the Cornish X) are far from troublesome... They grew fast and were pleasant ladies and gentlemen. Just use yur instinct. They will do fine.

How much did they weigh.