Getting Started with Meat Birds
The first time I kept meat birds, my family was a little overwhelmed with the responsibility. We ordered too many birds for the facilities we had available, and I was learning as I went, so we tried and failed many times before getting things right.
I would like the opportunity to try this again in the fall and need to remember the habits and tricks we have developed over the past two months so things go more smoothly later.
I would like the opportunity to try this again in the fall and need to remember the habits and tricks we have developed over the past two months so things go more smoothly later.
First, you need to decide how many birds you can accommodate. The brooder I currently have is a wire rabbit hutch. It holds 10 chicks comfortably for their first month. I liked that it was light weight and easy to clean. I would like to have more birds next time, so I am going to build a larger, inexpensive one that I found in Backyard Poultry Magazine. Fill it with pine shavings or sand to absorb the mess.
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Next, you will need to decide what kind of food you want to feed them and where you will get it. Tractor Supply has been inconsistent at best. I found a food that I liked but it wasn't always in stock. You can use a chart from the hatchery to estimate how much feed you will need, then buy it a month at a time to save driving to the feed store and the problems that arise if they are out of stock. During the first two weeks, they will eat about half a pound each of a 20% protein chick starter. For the next four weeks, they will eat one pound each of an 18% protein chick starter. Finally, they spend the last two weeks eating 3 pounds each of a low protein (around 16%) finisher to build fat and flavor. That comes out to about 13 pounds per bird over their 8-9 week life span.
Now you can order your chicks and be prepared to care for them whenever they arrive. A reliable hatchery is a wonderful thing. We ordered 25 birds from Welp Hatchery and had complete success, in addition to finding their prices great. I wish they sold in smaller batches of 10 but I understand why they need larger orders. Tractor Supply sold us some great birds for just $1 each but others have mentioned that TS mislabeled birds and they didn't get what they were expecting.
Now you can order your chicks and be prepared to care for them whenever they arrive. A reliable hatchery is a wonderful thing. We ordered 25 birds from Welp Hatchery and had complete success, in addition to finding their prices great. I wish they sold in smaller batches of 10 but I understand why they need larger orders. Tractor Supply sold us some great birds for just $1 each but others have mentioned that TS mislabeled birds and they didn't get what they were expecting.
While you are waiting for the birds to arrive, invest in some supplies.
1) 250 watt red bulb in a heat lamp. Attach securely with a chain so you can raise and lower it depending on the birds needs and be cautious of fire hazards. 2) Thermometer so you can correctly adjust brooder temperature, especially as the seasons change. 3) Hanging poultry feeder and water. You can use a small one in the brooder and progress to a larger one later. You can see that I added a screw-in hook to the top of their water and food dishes. This keeps them from knocking the containers over (which they will do all the time!) keeps them from scratching litter into the dishes, keeps them from flinging food out of the food dish, and keeps them from perching on top of the containers and dropping feces into their food and water. |
You can't go wrong with this arrangement and it will save you so much time. As they grow, use the chain to raise the dishes so they have to stand up to reach the food and water.
Once your birds are here, settle them in to their new home. Check on them a few times a day to make sure everyone is behaving and that they are at the correct temperature. I fill their feed each morning and they don't usually run out until the evening. After two weeks, begin removing the feeder at night so that they don't over eat. Fill the container at bed time and set it outside of the brooder. The next morning, it is ready to go-- just hang it in place, refill their water and they are set for the day.
When your chicks outgrow the brooder, you will need an outdoor pen ready for them.
Once your birds are here, settle them in to their new home. Check on them a few times a day to make sure everyone is behaving and that they are at the correct temperature. I fill their feed each morning and they don't usually run out until the evening. After two weeks, begin removing the feeder at night so that they don't over eat. Fill the container at bed time and set it outside of the brooder. The next morning, it is ready to go-- just hang it in place, refill their water and they are set for the day.
When your chicks outgrow the brooder, you will need an outdoor pen ready for them.