So.. I just picked up 5 meat king chicks... advice?

[DaytonHillRabbits]

Hi all,

I jumped into raising chickens for eggs about a month ago. Got my hens and am in love. So this am I was on FaceBook and one of my friends who also raises chickens was posting about the Meat King chicks she got yesterday.

Now... I know how rabbit math works as I am a breeder, but... chicken math kind of snuck up on me!

So this morning I somehow ended up at the feed store, and purchased 5 of these cute little suckers. I picked up a waterer and feeder suitable for chicks. And 10 lbs of "Chick Starter" since I know I won't use a 50 lb bag with just 5 chicks.

Questions!

At what age should they be switched to grower instead of the starter?
At what age do they no longer require the heat lamp?
At what age should they be moved to an outside pen with shelter?
Free feed? I ferment for the hens, and would like to do the same for the chicks once they are outside in a pen and not in my rabbit shed in a tote.
What age do you butcher with Meat Kings?

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Chicks can be switched to grower at about 6 weeks
It depends on your area, for mine, they stop getting it at 3 weeks, unless it is cold
They should be moved outside into a pen when they are 4 weeks old, but may still have to come in at night, depending on how cold it is
For butchering, free feed is a good idea
I don't raise meat kings, so I am not sure, hopefully someone else can help you with that!