When to start removing food from "slow" CX?

[Esteri]

28 of the "slow" growing CX arrived last Sunday. And since they were shipped Friday - that makes them a week old. So, here's the thing - they've more than doubled in size in a week!! I'm concerned because while all of them can walk, some waddle more than they walk. They've been on Flock Raiser since the day they got here with free access all the time, and the heat lamp is a white light. When they arrived the Blue Andalusian "peanut" wasn't much smaller than they were. Now, it's less than 1/2 the size!! (Fortunately, it's quick, and isn't afraid to stand up for itself - so it's not getting picked on at all. I just saw it face down one of the biggest chicks in the brooder. Plucky.)

Remembering what I read here about only letting them have access to food for 12 hours I removed their food this evening. Is it too soon? I didn't see anywhere on when to start this practice. Also, once they get older and move out to the tractor. How do I figure out what a "day" worth of feed is - so that I can feed them once a day and just let them eat it down to nothing.

Whomever said that meaties weren't lovable was right on!!
.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I did it when mine were 2 weeks old.

 

[daleeper]

Quote:
I don't understand what your saying?

I love mine fried, roasted, and baked. Grilled and smoked too!

I tried the limited feeding this last bunch and hated the way the chickens attacked the feeders in the morning, so I fed 2 times per day and fed an amount that they would run out a few hours before the next feeding. I still lost a couple to flip, but hard to tell, as I lost more to an owl that got in the coop at 3 weeks, so hard to say how effective it was. Make sure you have plenty of feeder space available.

Many of the chick hatcheries have instructions on when and how to limit feed.

Someone with more experience please tell us what you did, and how it improved your flip rate. Also include how much feeder space you have for your chickens.

 

[Chicken411]

When you move them out to pasture, they will stop eating when it gets dark and won't eat until morning. Mine slowly start getting up at 7 am and go to bed at 9, so maybe you don't need to worry about their food running out? I feed 20% protien and haven't had any problems. Mine will be 7 weeks tomorrow.

 

[sfessler]

I have 25 slow CX and started the 12/12 after 3 full weeks. None have died except one during the first three weeks due to being a defective critter that failed to grow. He got walked all over till I off'd him. I actually find the whole flock quite lovable with full foliage and attitudes after 8 weeks. I am at 8 weeks now and they aren't big enough to slaughter. I'll plan to go at least to 10 which I suppose is in line with their being "slow" CX.