what to feed meat chicks

[mstricer]

Renee' :

Quote:
Yes, they drink a ton of water. I have 25 meat birds. They are 7 weeks old. They are drinking about 5-7 gallons of water per day (depending on the outside temperature). I have also noticed that they flick the water too. I place an empty feed sack on the floor of their coop/brooder under the water to absorb the water they flick. I have to change it every other day because it gets completely soaked.

I started my meaties on two bags of Purina Start & Grow, non medicated. After I finished those two bags I switched to Purina Flockraiser. They are eating about 10 pounds of food per day.

I have 11, mine drink 3 gallons from daylight till I return from work at 4pm.​

 

[rickerra]

Quote:
Wow! I didn't imagine they would use that much water.

I have a 1 gallon waterer... and 9 Cx 1.5wk olds. Sounds like I need a plan... to provide more water as they get bigger.

 

[mstricer]

I have a three gallon water I got at TSC, Then I have 5 gallon waters when I had more last year, I really like them I bought the base at Meyer hatchery and bucket at walmart. I love them easy to set up, for free ranger watering stations.
Michele

 

[1muttsfan]

Medicated chick starters carry a coccidiostat, for the intestinal parasite coccidia, not an antibiotic. This prevents coccidia from reproducing, but does not kill them; therefore the young birds still are able to develop natural resistance to the parasite. You can feed medicated feed for as long as 16 weeks, then transition to medication-free food.

There are medicated feeds with antibiotics that are used in some commercial operations, but you will not find them at feed stores for home flocks. Cocci are bacteria, round in shape; there are many different types (streptococci, staphylococci, etc).

Vaccinations most often done are:
Marek's disease - a viral infection that leads to paralysis
Infectious laryngotracheitis - virus leading to upper respiratory infections
Fowl pox - virus causing chicken-pox like signs and systemic illness
Respiratory diseases such as newcastles disease, infections bronchitis, avian influenza, etc - best only done based on diagnostic testing

 

[ChikeeMomma]

I only use non-medicated feed from the beginning. I start out with a 24% protein turkey grower and back it down to 20% at 5-6 weeks depending on how they are looking. I always buy mine from the local Family Farm and Home because it's cheaper than ordering directly through the hatchery. They come from Townline Hatchery in Zeeland MI. I have no clue if they are vaccinated or not. Are birds that are sold in stores usually vaccinated? I have never had any issues so far with cocci (three years running).

 

[1muttsfan]

Do you mean coccidia? There is no vaccination for that, it is an intestinal parasite not an infection.

If you are raising meat birds,a turkey starter without medication is safest, since they grow very quickly and are slaughtered at a very early age. Turkey starter is really too high in nutrients for layers, they need to grow more slowly to allow them to mature properly. If they eat food too high in calories and protein they mature too fast and become overweight, which can cause them to have laying problems.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Yup, gotcha -- but am wondering do the hatcheries usually vaccinate (against Mareks, etc) chicks that go to TSC, Family Farm and Home, etc? I've never asked the sales people.

I do raise a handful of layers every year -- right along side my meaties. I have my little system down and haven't had any issues yet. The meaties and layers start free ranging at about 5 weeks. I usually raise my meaties to 9-11 weeks of age before they go to the processor.

Hello 1muttsfan! Where are you in the UP? Goodness I love it up there!

 

[Blaineiac]

The only non medicated feed my local store has is 18% broiler ration. Is it ok to use and add some hardboiled eggs to it for CX. Thanks Blaine

 

[1muttsfan]

Hey chickie, I am in St. Ignace, gateway to the beautiful UP. Love it up here too, although originally from the Lansing area.

The main reason to feed medicated feed to young chicks is to prevent the chicks from developing illness from coccidia parasites. It does not prevent infestation, just keeps the numbers down to where the birds do not become ill.

Affected birds are usually young, because they have no naturally developed immunity to the parasites. These birds may become sick and develop diarhea, or may just not grow well and be unthrifty, and are more susceptible to infections. As they get older, young birds develop enough immunity to the parasites to control the numbers naturally, so they do not need to eat medicated feed forever. I usually feed it for around 8 weeks, then change to an unmedicated grower/finisher.

They can get coccidia from exposure to the manure of other birds. Healthy adult birds can be subclinical carriers, not sick themselves but passing the parasite in their manure. Wild birds can also be carriers. Young birds kept with older birds are more likely to be exposed to coccidia. Birds kept in small areas with large amounts of manure will also be exposed to more parasites.

The coccidia that affect birds do not affect people, dogs, cats, etc., so you are at no risk of this around your birds.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

1muttsfan -- Well, I'm jealous that you live up there year round! We go up to Brevort Lake near Moran every September, but have traveled most of the UP (except Ontanogan and Ironwood areas). Not too far from St. Ignace, which is lovely, too. It is soooo beautiful in the UP!