TXA&M07
Roll the dice....
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2007
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Ok, here goes one that's fairly easy and manageable on a budget. For your future laying birds do as follows.
0-6 Weeks
Start those pullets on a Turkey "Starter" feed that is 20-25% in protein. You'll want to stay with that for a little over 6 weeks. Its going to give them the early boost they need and will come in a semi-mash powdery textured feed. Don't over buy, but don't cut it short because I told you we're only on it for 6 weeks. I'd like for you to mix in the next step rather than just one day be on "Starter" and the next pellets.
6-13 weeks
Around week 5, start mixing in a "grower" feed, preferably of the same brand as the Turkey Starter. By the start of week 7ish, you should be feeding 100% grower. Grower protein levels I recommend are around 15%. This type of feed is going to be more of a crumbled texture, and may in fact be labeled "crumble", but don't worry, they're mature enough now to consume it without issue.
13-20 weeks
Like you did with the introduction of the grower, do the same mixing method with a "finisher" or "developer" feed. Different brands call it different things but in the end, its the same. Ask the feed store for some poultry finisher and he'll know what you're talking about depending on the brand you chose. It'll be a pellet formed feed.
-Here is where you can begin to implement some cool treats for these birds. Don't over do it, but if you didn't finish all of your cantelope at dinner, throw that out there for them. Same goes for most fruit though I've tried to avoid over exposure to watermelon. Its a bit sweet and I think cantelope is more enjoyable for them to be honest. Vegetables are cool too but try to stick with leafy stuff like lettuce.
-Important feed supplement now is calcium. Go buy oyster shells and scatter them on the "play pen" area where the birds exercise. It'll give them something to do and provide them with the ability to create good eggs. You don't have to feed it like its their only source of nutrition but you want to keep some on the ground scattered about from here until their done laying eggs.
Week 20-life ends
Feed a "layer" pellet from here on. I like Layena's product and at this juncture, changing the brand of feed is not an issue. These should be mature birds capable of changes in their diet. If you'd like to slowly wean them off of Red Cell from their water, that's fine too. Keep up the oyster shells and fruit/veggies treats from here out and you should be fine. Other things you can throw out for them is "Scratch Grains". Its easily available everywhere and I encourage you to give them a cup or two every other day. Its fun because they'll love it and come to expect it from you daily. Fun activity for youngsters to "feed the chickens".
Think that's about as brief as I can make it. Like always, any follow up questions, I'll be right here for you.
0-6 Weeks
Start those pullets on a Turkey "Starter" feed that is 20-25% in protein. You'll want to stay with that for a little over 6 weeks. Its going to give them the early boost they need and will come in a semi-mash powdery textured feed. Don't over buy, but don't cut it short because I told you we're only on it for 6 weeks. I'd like for you to mix in the next step rather than just one day be on "Starter" and the next pellets.
6-13 weeks
Around week 5, start mixing in a "grower" feed, preferably of the same brand as the Turkey Starter. By the start of week 7ish, you should be feeding 100% grower. Grower protein levels I recommend are around 15%. This type of feed is going to be more of a crumbled texture, and may in fact be labeled "crumble", but don't worry, they're mature enough now to consume it without issue.
13-20 weeks
Like you did with the introduction of the grower, do the same mixing method with a "finisher" or "developer" feed. Different brands call it different things but in the end, its the same. Ask the feed store for some poultry finisher and he'll know what you're talking about depending on the brand you chose. It'll be a pellet formed feed.
-Here is where you can begin to implement some cool treats for these birds. Don't over do it, but if you didn't finish all of your cantelope at dinner, throw that out there for them. Same goes for most fruit though I've tried to avoid over exposure to watermelon. Its a bit sweet and I think cantelope is more enjoyable for them to be honest. Vegetables are cool too but try to stick with leafy stuff like lettuce.
-Important feed supplement now is calcium. Go buy oyster shells and scatter them on the "play pen" area where the birds exercise. It'll give them something to do and provide them with the ability to create good eggs. You don't have to feed it like its their only source of nutrition but you want to keep some on the ground scattered about from here until their done laying eggs.
Week 20-life ends
Feed a "layer" pellet from here on. I like Layena's product and at this juncture, changing the brand of feed is not an issue. These should be mature birds capable of changes in their diet. If you'd like to slowly wean them off of Red Cell from their water, that's fine too. Keep up the oyster shells and fruit/veggies treats from here out and you should be fine. Other things you can throw out for them is "Scratch Grains". Its easily available everywhere and I encourage you to give them a cup or two every other day. Its fun because they'll love it and come to expect it from you daily. Fun activity for youngsters to "feed the chickens".
Think that's about as brief as I can make it. Like always, any follow up questions, I'll be right here for you.
