Mixing Layers, and Meat birds

[sdharlow]

Hoping to benefit from the experienced ones here. I'm planning on starting my very first flock in a few weeks. Trying to make preperations ahead. I want to raise a small home flock, for eggs, and meat. I have made the decision to go with Black Australorps, as my research has shown them to be good dual purpose birds.

My question is, do I need to keep the Layers, segregated from the Meat birds? I read so much I am getting confused. I see many comments on feeding Layers different feed than meat birds. Don't see how you could do that without 2 coops.

All input on this is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[ladycat]

If I understand right, you're going to get straight run Australorpes, then you're going to keep the pullets and butcher the cockerals? Do I have that right?

If so, you'll be butchering the males before the pullets start laying. You can raise them all the same on the same feed up to that point, so you don't need to raise them them separately.

Or did you mean you'll be raising Australorpe pullets and cornish-cross broilers?

[sdharlow]

My thoughts are, having 4 to 6 Layers for regular egg production throughout the year, and having an average of 6 per year Meat Birds, not neccesarily all harvested at the same time. More of an as needed basis.
Am I making any sense?
I plan to have all Black Australorps for both uses. Not neccesarily concerned whether the harvest is cocks or hens. I know that some hens will not be good layers, and they will go into the cookpot.

[jwal10]

Yep, all you need is a rooster and a broody hen, she sets you get chicks. Each hatch would finish at the same time. Or you could incubate a few at a time. The meat birds would grow faster with a higher protein feed and finish quicker but you will still have good meat. I do this with my Buff Orpingtons all the time. I feed heavy screenings, clover hay and cracked oats....James

[sdharlow]

Thanks for the good input. What are heavy screenings James?

[jwal10]

What is left after cleaning grain. A friend has a seed cleaner. Little bit of everything, clover, vetch, barley oats, wheat, wild oats, grass seed and weed seed. It is free and already bagged. The pigeons really like it....James

[Lada]

If you're raising one breed for both meat and eggs, you just feed a chick starter. Feed that until the pullets start laying, which would be about the same time as you want to butcher the roos (right around 5-6 months of age). Switch your feed over to layer feed at that point. If you let the roos get older than 5-6 months, they will be fine eating the layer feed that you feed the hens, along with scratch grains. They might not be as tender if you wait, but you can still eat them.