Should I supplement?

[EggSighted4Life]

They’ve been on as high as I could get until I now found there’s a 26%version. They look great but I’m really just trying to see how big I can get them.

It's interesting.. in theory they will only eat to meet their energy needs... which means a calorie is a calorie regardless of where it comes from... just the nutrient profile wouldn't be the same. They can only reach their genetic potential with maximum nutrition, but they cannot go beyond that. Despite differences early on, most would end up THEIR same size in the end. (maybe not true on a constricted time frame)

When looking into the french method of Marans and such... seems like they might have done force feeding, when "fattening" up.

I do give my birds sour milk when I have it... but that's out of a desire to not be wasteful and have them benefit from the probiotics within.

Interesting read...
https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/l...ltry/poultry-rations-and-feeding-methods.html

https://www.researchgate.net/post/I...ol_method_on_force_feeding_in_broiler_chicken

ETA: since a calorie is a calorie to birds... and they only come from 3 sources... fat, protein, and carbs including fiber... is why I choose higher protein feeds, feel like I get more nutrients. Many poultry rations don't contain their kcal content like other feeds. Carbs and protein contain the same amount of calories.

 

[Compost King]

Just pointing it out for future reference

I plan to get a batch of Cornish X chicks early early next spring and I'll probably have them on turkey feed for the first two weeks ish. See how well they do.

If I was more organized I would do turkey feed for half and meat bird feed for the other half and see if there was a difference, I am not organized enough to pull it off unless I only had Cornish X... not enough space or time here to do that.

 

[Compost King]

One way I supplement with egg yolks in Summer.

On occasion I make a recipe that requires 20 to 30 egg whites and I do not like egg yolks. This last time I made it was a 95 degree day. I make it at night when all the chickens are roosting so I have no one to give my egg yolks to. So I put them in a pie pan top it with crushed egg shells and then put it in the freezer (Or fridge but it was too crowded) and the next morning my chickens enjoy a frozen treat... egg shell pie! For those who prefer to cook it just toss it in the oven and it will cook. In winter when Do this I actually drop the yolks in hot water and add oatmeal. Its fun to watch them eat oatmeal and one of them takes off running with yellow ball in her mouth like she has a prize not realizing there are enough balls in the oatmeal for everyone.

 

[LibbyR]

Here’s my Flock if Red Broilers. There’s 12 with a Welsummer pullet raised with them.