What to feed Somerset cross meat birds?

[shoechickens]

getting 12 Somerset cross birds on Friday I have set everything up but I don't exactly know what to feed them! Is it just normal chick crum and layers pellets after or do I need better protein food? They will be free ranging in a garden also! Thanks for the help!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

getting 12 Somerset cross birds on Friday I have set everything up but I don't exactly know what to feed them! Is it just normal chick crum and layers pellets after or do I need better protein food? They will be free ranging in a garden also! Thanks for the help!

Without knowing your timetable it is tough to answer your question. However broiler/fryers are normally fed a special 22% or higher protein feed.

It is not the feed that causes a meat chicken to grow fast, it is the chickens' DNA that causes it. The extra protein is merely needed to support the extra fast growth, not the other way around.

You should be prepared to process all 12 birds at one time. That will result in one chicken in the freezer per week for 3 months. This will allow you to start a new flock every 3 months, resulting in "sustainable" chicken dinners.

Cross bred meat birds generally do poorly free ranging. They grow too fast to move about freely. If you succeed in free ranging them the meat can tend to be stringy, dry, or tough. Good luck!

 

[shoechickens]

Without knowing your timetable it is tough to answer your question.  However broiler/fryers are normally fed a special 22% or higher protein feed. 

It is not the feed that causes a meat chicken to grow fast, it is the chickens' DNA that causes it.  The extra protein is merely needed to support the extra fast growth, not the other way around.

You should be prepared to process all 12 birds at one time.  That will result in one chicken in the freezer per week for 3 months.  This will allow you to start a new flock every 3 months, resulting in "sustainable" chicken dinners. 

Cross bred meat birds generally do poorly free ranging.  They grow too fast to move about freely.  If you succeed in free ranging them the meat can tend to be stringy, dry, or tough.  Good luck!   

 

[shoechickens]

Thanks for the reply! They will be in a chicken tractor that I will move twice everyday

 

[shoechickens]

The feed I'm getting is going to be 16% is that ok?

 

[donrae]

I don't think you'll be happy with their growth on 16. It won't actually harm them, but it will take longer to make decent weight. Plus, when I see 16percent I think layer feed, and you do want to be giving young mealtimes that much calcium. Minimum I'd go is 19, but low 20s is probably going to make you happier.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The feed I'm getting is going
to be 16% is that ok?

I can't say because its been decades since my last crop of broiler birds. I am unsure of the problems, if there are any problems that you will face slow rearing chickens on 16% protein that are intended... no that are designed to reach slaughter weight very quickly on 22% protein. In some cases in as little as 4 weeks. I think it would be good for you to keep this thread active throughout the whole time that you grow out these 12 birds so that you can report on the success of your venture.

 

[shoechickens]

I don't think you'll be happy with their growth on 16. It won't actually harm them, but it will take longer to make decent weight. Plus, when I see 16percent I think layer feed, and you do want to be giving young mealtimes that much calcium. Minimum I'd go is 19, but low 20s is probably going to make you happier.

Thanks for the answer again I have Been looking and I can't find anything higher than 16% protein! I don't have a clue where to look! Like in the uk and I don't know if they even provide it here? You have any idea? Thanks, jeff

 

[shoechickens]

I can't say because its been decades since my last crop of broiler birds.  I am unsure of the problems, if there are any problems that you will face slow rearing chickens on 16% protein that are intended... no that are designed to reach slaughter weight very quickly on 22% protein.  In some cases in as little as 4 weeks.  I think it would be good for you to keep this thread active throughout the whole time that you grow out these 12 birds so that you can report on the success of your venture. 

yes what I great Idea! I was thinking of doing a YouTube series also. Showing how we made the chicken tractor out of an old bed and how we made a plucker and the whole meat bird process!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

yes what I great Idea! I was thinking of doing a YouTube series also. Showing how we made the chicken tractor out of an old bed and how we made a plucker and the whole meat bird process!

Good luck!