Author Topic: Cockerels separated - now what.... (Read 1827 times)

suziequeue · « **on:** July 04, 2012, 11:14:58 am »

We have just separated our three cockerels from the rest of the flock and plan to limit their living space a little (10 sqaure metres of grass each) and feed them up before the broomstick (thanks Jaykay - we'll give this a try)

Any suggestions on what we should feed them aside from growers pellets? Lots of corn? Any other tasty bites?

Thanks

in the hills · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2012, 12:29:31 pm »

Our cockerels that went into the pot, continued to live with the flock and so had the same diet - layers pellets and corn.

There was a thread not too long ago about feeding birds destined for the table and I think the general feeling was to swap to a grain based diet - more natural. Don't know how you find it on here ..... there must be a way

Do I remember correctly that Castle Farm's website is a good one for this kind of thing.

Think you can get fattening pellets.

suziequeue · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2012, 12:53:10 pm »

Thanks ITH. I'll look it up

FiB · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2012, 01:46:39 pm »

Suzie Q - how old are yours and were yours cockadoodling? or how did you know. My LIght sussex/Marran are 7 weeks old now ad I still havnt got a clue - I'm sure tha last lot were scrapping by now! Dare I hope they are all hens? (Mind you I am relying on some for meat) . It was a great thread on life without layers pellets. Mine are on Growers and mixed corn at the mo. Confused about just how much free ranging they need to do if I move to just mixed corn (re protein and minerals), and just how much to allow if I want tender meat - that balance betweeen happy birds and tasty meat...

in the hills · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:32:28 pm »

Perhaps I was just lucky. We have only eaten one batch of ours. RIRs x Friesian Fowl ..... not intended for the pot but a hedgerow hatch that had to be dealt with. Just treated like the rest of the flock .... layers, corn and full time free range over a couple of acres. Dispatched at around 5 months old. Okay, not lots of meat but with a Friesian in there you wouldn't expect huge birds. The meat was lovely ... tender and juicy ... and made 2 meals for 3 people (albeit not big meat eaters).

I suppose it depends if you only have a few birds to deal with or a big batch as it were. If only a few maybe its not worth making too many special arrangements.

suziequeue · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:37:24 pm »

Quote

There was a thread not too long ago about feeding birds destined for the table and I think the general feeling was to swap to a grain based diet - more natural. Don't know how you find it on here ..... there must be a way

At last....... on page 15

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=23524.0

....with me saying " I will be watching this thread with interest...." well that didn't last long

Thanks