Jan Grobbelaar

Feed is the last thing that must be changed. The most important rearing factors to be looked at are: temperature, ventilation, stocking density, number of feeders (birds per feeder) and quality of feed. at this stage you can separate the birds but ensure that the birds have enough feeders.

to reach maximum weight in 35 -42 weeks you must feed the chickens ad lib. you feed the chickens a starter feed containing 22 -24 CP% for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks you change to a grower with a CP% of 20 and the for the last week if you slaughter at 5 weeks or the last 2 weeks if you slaughter at 6 weeks a finisher feed containing a CP% of 18.

This is a very informative publication which will assist someone that wants to start to keep backyard chickens.

I agree with Dr. Rahu and Manyanyil, vent pecking is the cause of bad management especially overcrowding, light intensity inadequate feeders and drinkers. Normally a farmer will buy the correct balanced feed from a company. if other farmers that buy their feed from the same company does not have the same problem the problem is not feed related but management orientated. Jan Grobbelaar S ...