When do you separate layers from meat birds?

[buckabucka]

We'll be getting our first birds in May; 10 Dark Cornish for meat, and 16 assorted breed layers for eggs. There will be separate coop and run areas for these birds.

Do we need to separate them during the first 4 weeks in the brooder? Should we have two brooders, heat lamps, etc. from day 1?
I appreciate any advice!

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I see no reason to separate at all. Why do you feel the need?

 

[NancyinAlaska]

I never have and all was well

 

[buckabucka]

Quote:
I read that you shouldn't raise the layers and meat birds together, partly because they require different feed, I don't know if there are other reasons.
In the brooder, I was more worried about a big size difference in the birds, but maybe this isn't a factor until later.
I have no experience with any of this!

 

[FF]

Oh. That won't be a problem. Just fill your feeders up once a day with .5lb of feed for the first week and ad a .5lb every week after that. I did that and really all my birds were pretty dang big. I did that with my cornish cross when I raised hime with my egg layers and he lived almost 6 months until.... the reason hatcheries say not to do this is because it causes leg problems and heart problems. Unless you are going to keep these chickens as long as you can, just give them a full supply of feed and then butcher at 6 weeks. Not 8 as they will proabably not last as long. I did that too but was proabably about 3 years ago when I just had 10 meat and 5 egg layers. Good luck with what you do and i hope this helps!