The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: vfr400boy on October 24, 2014, 07:02:40 pm

Title: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: vfr400boy on October 24, 2014, 07:02:40 pm: Hi got 12 cocks 3 weeks old from a local farm they will all ready be about 1kg each , last time I just fed them on growers and mixed corn , just wonderd what you guys fed
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: HesterF on October 25, 2014, 12:18:00 am: Mine get growers and some corn late afternoon but they're not specifically meat birds - just birds I happen to eat if I have too many cockerels!
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: vfr400boy on October 25, 2014, 08:57:29 am: Am worred that if I feed growers they will get to big to quick ?
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: devonlady on October 25, 2014, 09:04:32 am: Mine just have whole wheat and free range. If you can't free range then I would feed growers as well as wheat.
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: Stereo on October 25, 2014, 09:49:22 am: Quote from: devonlady on October 25, 2014, 09:04:32 am
Mine just have whole wheat and free range. If you can't free range then I would feed growers as well as wheat.

What breeds are those? I'm looking at ways of raising our pure breed cockerels (Marans / Sussex / RIR /Leghorn) to a good weight for less cash. At the mo they have 100% growers until 6 months and turn out OK. We've got a woodland and was considering raising them in there either in nets or fixed pens. Wondering if I could get away with just wheat if they plenty of leaf litter to scratch through.
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: HesterF on October 25, 2014, 03:39:10 pm: Quote
Am worred that if I feed growers they will get to big to quick ?

Isn't that the point? Trouble with meat birds of the commercial style is they do get so big they can't move very easily but if you want them for the table, that's fine, isn't it? Mine are Orpingtons so skinny as at 3 months but a decent size at 6 months - albeit turkey sized legs and not so much breast.

H
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: vfr400boy on October 25, 2014, 09:07:41 pm: I want them to be big but not go off ther legs , I'd like to have them for Xmas
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: HesterF on October 25, 2014, 09:17:45 pm: It's only 8 weeks until Christmas, I'd have thought you'd be fine if they're supposed to top out at ten or eleven weeks.
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: devonlady on October 25, 2014, 09:41:26 pm: The point of free range is the grass, weeds and insects. Mine are surplus crossbred cockerels and only eaten by us. The best thing is to try and see what you get :chook: :fc:
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: vfr400boy on October 26, 2014, 01:27:49 pm: They kill the hens at 5 weeks and the cocks at 6 they grow so fast it's Unbelieveabel ! , I have cut the food rite back and they are coming out ov the shed on to the grass now
Title: Re: What to feed my meat birds ?
Post by: shygirl on October 26, 2014, 01:32:14 pm: personally I think the hybrids you mention are bred to finish that quick and aren't meant to be slow growers. why not try a more traditional type hybrid next time that is more suited to free range. there are different types around im sure.