Meat Chickens Raised with Layers?

chris6351 · 09-03-2008, 12:40 PM

Does anyone know if you can raise the 2 together? I know that they mature at different rates, and about the leg problems with the meat birds, but would like to try raising both next spring-don't know of anyone that does it and didn't find anything on the web. I think I would start them on regular chick starter, then I don't know-do I go with Layer mash or Grower? Any ideas?

B2Buckskins · 09-03-2008, 01:06 PM

For year we were in 4-H with my 2 son's(15 yrs) and we had to take the meat chicks out and put them in thier own pen they would lay on the other chick and kill them --they just get big so fast, and you should had the meat birds in the freeze by layer time

Kelpie · 09-03-2008, 05:56 PM

I tried the cornishX meet birds this year, grew fast and no leg problems! I would recommend them. I kept the meat and layer chicks together until I took them out of the brooder at about 5wks old. The best reason to keep them separate is because the meet birds eat till the food is gone, and are much larger than the egg birds, keeping the egg birds off the feed. Not to mention that meat birds sh** a lot and you don't want that mess in your layers coop or near your eggs!

Kelpie · 09-03-2008, 05:58 PM

as for feed .....I feed a mix of cracked corn and layer pellets. and if you don't mind the mess I can't see why you couldn't keep them together!

chris6351 · 09-04-2008, 07:42 AM

Thanks for the Info. I think next spring I am gonna try both-I will keep everyone posted. Whats a little more cleanup anyway? This year I put my chicks in with the big girls at 6 weeks, with very little issues.

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09-03-2008, 12:40 PM
chris6351 Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New England Posts: 105	Meat Chickens Raised with Layers? Does anyone know if you can raise the 2 together? I know that they mature at different rates, and about the leg problems with the meat birds, but would like to try raising both next spring-don't know of anyone that does it and didn't find anything on the web. I think I would start them on regular chick starter, then I don't know-do I go with Layer mash or Grower? Any ideas? __________________ Chris "THERE IS NO KEY TO HAPPINESS, THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN"

09-03-2008, 01:06 PM
B2Buckskins Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 452	For year we were in 4-H with my 2 son's(15 yrs) and we had to take the meat chicks out and put them in thier own pen they would lay on the other chick and kill them --they just get big so fast, and you should had the meat birds in the freeze by layer time __________________ B2BUCKSKINS Foundation Quarters Horses Last edited by B2Buckskins : 09-03-2008 at 01:10 PM.

09-03-2008, 05:56 PM
Kelpie Newborn Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 48	I tried the cornishX meet birds this year, grew fast and no leg problems! I would recommend them. I kept the meat and layer chicks together until I took them out of the brooder at about 5wks old. The best reason to keep them separate is because the meet birds eat till the food is gone, and are much larger than the egg birds, keeping the egg birds off the feed. Not to mention that meat birds sh** a lot and you don't want that mess in your layers coop or near your eggs!

09-03-2008, 05:58 PM
Kelpie Newborn Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 48	as for feed .....I feed a mix of cracked corn and layer pellets. and if you don't mind the mess I can't see why you couldn't keep them together!

09-04-2008, 07:42 AM
chris6351 Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New England Posts: 105	Thanks for the Info. I think next spring I am gonna try both-I will keep everyone posted. Whats a little more cleanup anyway? This year I put my chicks in with the big girls at 6 weeks, with very little issues. __________________ Chris "THERE IS NO KEY TO HAPPINESS, THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN"