Ranging broilers with layers

[tmarsh83]

Short of plowing through 10,000 replies looking for the answer, I'm curious about those who range their meat birds.

Do you allow them to range with your layers? Alternate range times?

Do they raid the feed for the layer flock?

I don't want to leave them in the tractor exclusively, I'm just trying to get a feel for how they interact with everyone else.

 

[minihorse927]

I mix my broilers in when about 6 weeks old with the regular flock. They free range on the same grounds and eat the same feed. I have never had an issue and they have grown to the expected size. I like to free range them because I do not have the leg issues or the sudden heart attack deaths within the broilers as I do when they remained penned up

 

[donrae]

I've done small batches of CX and layer pullet chicks together. Raised them the same, same feed, etc. The CX just don't last as long, but otherwise they're treated the same.

I've heard folks say the CX will hog the feeders and the layers wont' be able to eat. I've not found that to be the case.

I've heard folks say the layer pullets will be aggressive and peck at the slower CX. Also not the case in my experience. Then again, the layer chicks in question have not been hatchery Reds or Leghorns, two strain/breeds that seem to be more aggressive overall. My layer chicks have been Rocks, Marans, EE, Wyandottes, etc.

Mine don't range as far or as active as the layer chicks, but they do get out and move. I think mine would go farther and be more active if I had a more enticing set up. They do slow down as they reach butcher age, they're carrying a lot of weight and that makes them tire easily.

I'd say give it a try at your place and see how it works for you.