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Managing Meat Bird Flocks

Mar 25, 2014

By Phillip J. Clauer Poultry Extension Specialist

Best Breeds To Raise: Meat - type crosses (Rock - Cornish) or commercial hybrid broilers are the most efficient birds available. Purebred poultry most commonly raised for meat are Cornish, Plymouth Rocks and White Jersey Giants. Purebreds are less efficient and take up to 14 weeks to develop a desirable carcass. When considering birds for meat production, select birds with light colored plumage. Dark feathered birds are less desirable because of their dark pin feathers left after slaughtering

Floor Space: At least 1.5 square feet per bird, however, 2 square feet recommended.

Litter: Wet and compacted litter is of special concern with meat - type birds. These conditions cause breast sores and leg weak- nesses and give the carcasses an undesirable appearance. Never brood chicks on slippery surfaces. Meat birds need traction and leg support. Pine shavings or straw work best

Feed: Feed a completely balanced ration. For fryers and broil- ers, feed a starter mash or crumble pellets containing 20 - 23% protein until slaughtered. For roasters, feed a 20% protein starter for the first 6 weeks then switch to a 18% protein grower feed. Many people just "dilute" the starter by feeding 90% starter mash with 10% corn from 6 to 10 weeks and feeding 80% starter mash and 20% corn after 10 weeks of age

Feeders: Three (3) inches of feeder space per bird. The lip of the feeder should be level with the birds back height to prevent feed wastage. Only fill trough feeder 1/3 or 1/2 full to prevent wastage. Keep feed in front of birds at all times.

Waterers: At least 6 gallons of water per 100 birds daily. Clean the waterers and provide fresh water daily. Place the waterers so that the lip is level with the birds back. One inch (1") of water space/bird.

Lights: Constant light is recommended. Provide one 25 - 40 watt bulb per 100 sq. feet.

Roosts: Do not use roosts for meat - type chickens. Roosts cause breast blisters, crooked keels, bruises and lameness in heavy meat birds.

Yards: Not necessary, but if desired, confine the birds to an exercise area which provides between 5 and 10 sq. feet per bird.

When To Slaughter: Two (2) to three (3) lb. fryers should be slaughtered at 4 to 5 weeks of age, 4 to 5 lb. broilers slaughtered at 6 to 9 weeks of age and roasters at 9 to 14 weeks of age. Re- member, as the birds get older and larger they become less effi- cient and they eat a larger amount of feed for each pound of weight gained. Older birds produce more fat, so slaughter the birds as close to the desired weight as possible.

Source:ncsu.edu