Red Laced Cornish X and project talk (pics p. 8)

[NotAFarm]

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Aaah we're still talking chickens here, right?

 

[SteveH]

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My opinion is that you do not want to raise fat content in their feed if you intend to breed them. I kept my CX on 18% grower, boosted to around 22% with dry cat food, but limited to about 15 to 30 minutes of eating time; after that they had to browse for their food.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

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My opinion is that you do not want to raise fat content in their feed if you intend to breed them. I kept my CX on 18% grower, boosted to around 22% with dry cat food, but limited to about 15 to 30 minutes of eating time; after that they had to browse for their food.

Mine usually have free feed in their pen but are out freeranging most of the day. I guess I do it like that because I've always done it like that.

It's easier to manage all the pens that way. I do want my meatbirds healthy, but I guess any that get too fat on this routine will just end up at the dinner table.

 

[knjinnm]

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My opinion is that you do not want to raise fat content in their feed if you intend to breed them. I kept my CX on 18% grower, boosted to around 22% with dry cat food, but limited to about 15 to 30 minutes of eating time; after that they had to browse for their food.

Why cat food when there is 22% chicken feed? Do you grind the cat food or does it come as crumble food? No cats in our home.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

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My opinion is that you do not want to raise fat content in their feed if you intend to breed them. I kept my CX on 18% grower, boosted to around 22% with dry cat food, but limited to about 15 to 30 minutes of eating time; after that they had to browse for their food.

I agree 22 % is way to high for breeding meat birds. I keep my hogs (I mean breeding meat birds) on 20% an still limit their intake. Your problem is not now, but when they hit about 18 months old. You especially want to keep your roos lean. Bu then again I guess we should ask what breeds you have in your project birds . . .

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

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My opinion is that you do not want to raise fat content in their feed if you intend to breed them. I kept my CX on 18% grower, boosted to around 22% with dry cat food, but limited to about 15 to 30 minutes of eating time; after that they had to browse for their food.

Why cat food when there is 22% chicken feed? Do you grind the cat food or does it come as crumble food? No cats in our home.

I can't answer for steve but I can tell you cat food is way cheaper than chicken food and the birds LOVE it. A lot of people use it to supplement. We have to feed our cats in the house or the chickens will steal all their food! lol!

 

[NevadaRon]

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Cat food cheaper than chicken food? Granted I haven't tried to buy any high protein chicken feed (no meaties - yet!

), but I'm paying $13.99 for a 50lb. bag of layer pellets, and my cat's food is over $30 for a 15lb. bag (Science Diet hairball control formula)! What are you buying Katy and what are you paying?

 

[SteveH]

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My opinion is that you do not want to raise fat content in their feed if you intend to breed them. I kept my CX on 18% grower, boosted to around 22% with dry cat food, but limited to about 15 to 30 minutes of eating time; after that they had to browse for their food.

Why cat food when there is 22% chicken feed? Do you grind the cat food or does it come as crumble food? No cats in our home.

When I'm feeding several different small groups of different ages or breeds at different protein levels, it's cheaper for me to buy Nutreena 18% grower for chicks and Nutreena Layer for hens/pullets, then bump the protein level up for faster growth or breeding fertility if wanted. I can buy 31.5% protein cat food in a 50 lb. bag for about the same as a premium brand bag of chicken feed, top dress it in my chicken feed or toss it as scratch, and bump the protein level up wherever I want it; and with the added benefit of getting animal proteins including taurine in my feed [bean meal falls short in some important proteins]. The cat food stores well if kept dry. It has to be ground or soaked for new chicks, and only worth the effort if I don't have enough chicks to warrant buying a bag of meat and gamebird starter. Somewhere between 4 and 6 weeks they start eating it whole, and will always pick it out of the ration first, then eat the regular krumbles or mash later. Since I always try to take advantage of grass clippings or natural browze, I like to offer them a higher protein, but economical, mix in the feeder to compensate.

 

[knjinnm]

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WOW, I knew the was a good reason not to have a cat.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

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My opinion is that you do not want to raise fat content in their feed if you intend to breed them. I kept my CX on 18% grower, boosted to around 22% with dry cat food, but limited to about 15 to 30 minutes of eating time; after that they had to browse for their food.

I agree 22 % is way to high for breeding meat birds. I keep my hogs (I mean breeding meat birds) on 20% an still limit their intake. Your problem is not now, but when they hit about 18 months old. You especially want to keep your roos lean. Bu then again I guess we should ask what breeds you have in your project birds . . .

I only have 22% starter, 17% finisher, or 17% layer available through my organic company so I have to pick one! LoL! Also I was reasoning out the extra protein because they are out free-ranging and eat A LOT of grass and plant material...

Oh and I have Red Broilers, Marans, Delawares, and soon Katy's secret mix

in the meat pen.


And I agree cat food here is WAYYYYYY more than chicken feed! My cats get an 11 pound bag for 30.99

(If you can afford it I HIGHLY recommend it, WAYYYY better than Science Diet, it's called Wellness.)