What do you feed your meatbirds?

[jackiedon]

Ok you professionals on meatbirds. I've been so confused on the feed. When I get my Cornish X I start them on chick starter just like I would any other baby chicks? Then about week 4 or 5 I can change over to grower?

I thought I read that I was to put them on game bird starter.

I bought a bag of game bird starter and it was $16. I really need a cheaper way to feed them.

jackie

 

[Dodgegal79]

I think the chick starter has the same protein content as that, thats why you were told to buy gamebird. Just have to compare them. I know I have turkey starter I have to use up and its 22%.

 

[Cason]

I wonder if the 22% finishes them faster than the 16% grower/finisher. Might be worth the extra $$

 

[wilds of pa]

we always start ours on flock raiser crumble (medicated), then on or about 5-6 weeks we put them on the pellet flock raiser. they also got scratch grains in between feedings to..

We never kept feed on them 24-7 as we raise ours in tractors so they are moved about 2-3 times per day onto fresh grass. We want to make sure they eat lots of grass and bugs to,,then we noramlly start butchering around 7-8 weeks starting with the largest birds first to start and most of our birds always finished out and reached 6-8 pounds, within this butchering time, smaller ones are given the extra week or so to finish ..


http://www.moyerschicks.com/MC-Web/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=37#Broiler
Moyer’s Broiler/Roaster chicks (sometimes nicknamed Cornish Giants) can be grown to a live weight of over 4 lbs. by 6 weeks of age! Or, they can be managed to a roaster weight of 8-10 lbs. The males can be used for excellent caponizing stock. Live weights of 4-5 lbs. can be achieved on close to 2 lbs. of feed per pound of meat. They have excellent conformation, plump, tender breast meat and good skin texture.

charlie