Raising egg layers and broilers in the same coop????

[Costa Rica Art]

I got some very poor information that here in Costa Rica they have a very good dual purpose chicken. That turned out to be pure fiction so what I have now is a slight problem. I only have the one 10X10 coop. I want to be able to have about 6 laying hens and also be able to raise broilers. I can buy the broiler chicks easily but I would prefer to have a couple of broody hens and raise my broilers from their eggs. Setting aside an area for the brood hens is no problem until the chicks are big enough to mix with the laying hens. I had a chicken show up outside the fence one morning trying to get in before the coop was even ready and it looks to be a rooster. It is now running with the laying hens that I bought which are the same size now. I could possibly buy hens the same size as the rooster and hope they would go broody. Whatever that outcome is doesn't mater, what matters is when the broiler chicks are big enough to range outside with the rest and come in to roost at night should they be separated for a different food than the laying hens? I imagine that the different formulas will have a cost difference but also a different mixture of proteins and other requirements. Of course here in CR they may not be as different as in the states but I still would like advice as whether the broilers would do well on laying formula or they would be better off with their own formula. I'll check cost of the different formulas next week but right now I'm trying to make up the plans for the brood area that could go either way, mixed when big enough or always separate. I am using the deep litter method. One other slight problem there is a little difference in language, I am learning Spanish but very slowly, they say age has something to do with that. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I have photos of the coop that could help should anyone need to see them for suggestions.

 

[saladin]

The broilers do not need laying ration.

Also, their intake is totally different. They will stand at the trough and eat all day long. Laying hens should be feed what they will clean up of a good ration in about 10 minutes; otherwise they will get to fat to lay.

They need to be kept seperate for the feed differences alone. saladin

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Broilers should not have laying ration. They have enough health problems as it is and adding the extra calcium would really hurt them. Broilers need to be on meat bird food or Flock Raiser. Broilers need fed 12 hours on and 12 hours off. If you don't do this, they will get too big, too fast and could end up with heart attacks and/or broken legs.

Your layers should have access to food 24/7. Contrary to what the poster above said, they will not eat so much that they get too fat to lay. They will eat what they need when they need it. Also, keep in mind, the layers can also eat Flock Raiser, you will just need to supplement with crushed oyster shell on the side to keep the eggs nice and hard.

I tried keeping my broilers and layers together and it was a disaster. My layers never got any food. If you can, house them in different coops, or in a segregated one.

 

[saladin]

Naturally I agree with all the last post except for the second paragraph.

After raising fowl for 40 years (and I don't mean just a few pets) I can tell you from experience that layers do not need feed 24/7. Chickens do not naturally know what is good for them. They will eat too much and eat things that will kill them (including some plants). We are talking about a domesticated bird. Some wild instincts still exist more or less within some breeds, but how much to eat and what to eat aren't two of them.

But to each his/her own. I'll do it the right way, acid-chipmunk can do it her way.

 

[Costa Rica Art]

I thank both for your replies. As an ex-mechanical engineer I take in all the information I can get and let it all simmer till I think I have the idea to do what is needed then proceed. I have noticed that the chickens we have seen to want to be different. Yesterday in a light rain they were out grazing clover. Today with the sun nice and bright, a nice breeze, they're all on the roost or nestled in the wood chips. they followed me thinking perhaps I have a treat but then right back in the coop. Oh, even with the nice sun it is only 77 degrees here at 3,800 feet.

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

So are you looking for a Dual Purpose set up rather than a Broiler (meaning Cornish X;'s in the states) and layer hen set up. Is the Rooster a good size meat wise, not age wise. If so, breed him with your hens when they grow up or get him a few his age now. What breeds do you have a choice off.

Food wise. Can you even get Purina Flock Raiser? If combining Hens and Broilers, and using the same food for both try for at least 16-17 % protein and just give the hens calcium free choice, on the side. But if you can figure a way to keep your meat birds out of the hen food, then they would be better off on Layer.

Good luck.

 

[farmboy22]

I purchased 35 chicks, 10 of which are broilers . They are all in the same brooder and I hope to raise them together with no problems down the road , What are possible problems I could encounter ?

 

[GreenMountainEric]

I purchased 35 chicks, 10 of which are broilers . They are all in the same brooder and I hope to raise them together with no problems down the road , What are possible problems I could encounter ?

They will all be ok, on the same food, while you are raising them. (Provided that you are using a grower feed)

The big thing that you do not want to do, is feed a layer ration to broilers, or young hens (under 16 weeks). They will develop rickets, and will most likely die.

Keep broilers and young hens out of the layer food!!!

 

[ak rain]

Just following along as I am getting 8 layers June 1 My husband wants some Ranger chicks too for meat. Can they be in same brooder and coop? I assume the meat birds well be processed before layers have eggs.
Ak rain

 

[Costa Rica Art]

Just following along as I am getting 8 layers June 1 My husband wants some Ranger chicks too for meat. Can they be in same brooder and coop? I assume the meat birds well be processed before layers have eggs.
Ak rain

I have a hen with egg chicks and meaties (added when she wasn't looking) in with other older egg chicks plus 3 roosters, 7 hens and 2 guineas. The guineas are the biggest problem but no chick has been hurt. I don't know why they won't get along in the same brooder and coop as ours do.