broilers having touble

[chewie]

I have 40 broilers, uhm, HAD. lost a couple but can see I'll loose several more in a few days if I don't fix something. they lay on their bellies/chests like they all do when resting, but these ones will not get up. like their legs wont' work, they then use a wing to keep themselves upright. their vents don't look so great either. one looks very thin, probably can't get to the feed.

I am feeding a local corn based broiler grower feed, just like I did last year, and had great results then. started on starter mix, medicated.

what now??

[mygoat]

I'd limit feed intake. Sounds like the joints are being overwhelmed by fast growth. Move the feeder/waterer so that they are required to move for their food/water in future batches. With this group, however, you may be required to butcher those that cannot stand now, or just move each of them several times a day for food, water, shade, and shelter.

Each batch will respond differently as your feed batches change, temperature changes, and the breeding behind the batches change. Just because you're mixing the same feed on paper, doesn't mean it's exactly the same. Temperature can affect chickens very severely if it's been hot in your area. And finally, certain lines of broilers may be more succeptible to leg failure or heart failure.

I've never limited feed intake in broilers, but then again we haven't had heart failure/leg failure problems thus far. Hopefully someone with more experience with limiting feed will chime in. I've HEARD to limit intake to free choice feedings for approximately 20 minutes 2-3 times per day. Making sure each chicken has ample oportunity to eat and isn't crowded out during that time. But, as I said, I have no experience doing this.

[shellmar]

I agree with my goat. We always limit feed to our broilers. We feed twice a day.

We have been raising broilers for 4 years and have had success with this method. We are currently raising 90 birds.

It does take the birds a little longer to come up to weight, but we don't loose any to leg problems. We have lost a few to heart problems though.

[wally]

Not sure this will help you but this year I did something different. I raised 15 this spring and they are now in the Freezer. Some feed for 12 hours then no feed for 12 hours, I just fed once per day ,late afternoon or early evening. feed costs were way down and they all came to eat. Did not lose one bird this year. The feeder used was the plastic kind, about 2.5 gallon ???

[chewie]

this is what I thought, but didint' think we overfed. will be very careful for the rest of the time but the 7 that aren't doing well, what to do with them, they are ok to butcher now??

[zephyrcreek]

I raise hundreds of broilers every year. I would also guess that you need to ration your feed.

I do pasture raised poultry, so my take may be a little different than others. I feed twice a day, and only give them enough feed for 15-20 minutes. My guys free range the rest of the day. I've done this with both CX and Freedom Rangers. It does take a little extra time to grow them out if you free range vs confining to chicken tractor....but I don't lose birds. My CX are at size by 7-8 weeks and my FR are ready to butcher at 10 weeks. I can cut that time by a week or two if I confine them to the hoop house the last few weeks and keep lights on them longer.

[pancho]

My cornishX are looking so good this year I hate to butcher them.
I am going to keep a few pullets and a couple of roosters.

[BlackWillowFarm]

I usually offer free choice for the first four weeks, after that I let them run out of food and refill in the morning. I make sure they get plenty to eat, but I also want them hungry enough to forage. I put the birds outside at four weeks in an electric fence so they get plenty of fresh air and sunshine, plus they have to walk from the shelter to the food/water so I know they're getting exercise. I have 30 Cornish X that are 6 weeks old and could be butchered now. They look like they'd dress out at about 3-3.5lbs now which is what you get at the store most times. We like them a little bigger so I'll let them go another week or two. Sorry you're losing your birds. Hopefully some of the suggestions you're getting will help with the next batch.

As far as eating the birds that won't get up it depends. If they have good appetites and drink fine, look good, healthy color but just weak joints I'd say yes. But if their combs are pale or they have open sores, bad feathers, dirty vents, then I might not want to eat them.

[chewie]

they are still alive but do not have a healthy look, so we'll toss them. I will ration feed for the rest of them, and I really didn't think we overfed them as it is. they are in a dog kennel, have outside space and inside protection. dang, we only got 40 this year, loosing 7-10 is a big hit.

we also let the go past the 6-7 weeks, we like them a pretty good size. they are now maybe 5 weeks and just a bit smaller than store birds.

[zephyrcreek]

A 4-4.5 dressed out bird is considered the goal. This is the point when it cost the least amount of money per pound the chicken grows. You should not have to butcher early in order to maintain healthy birds. This may have just been a bad batch, or one that just needed a different management system. Don't give up hope.

[chewie]

ok, good to know. nah, not giving up, I was actually clever this year and kept track of my costs. we can get dressed, frozen chicken from the hooterites (sp??) so I am basing my cost compared to buying there. I believe we're still at half the cost.

I know store bought chicken is way cheaper, but I much prefer my home raised, so not taking the store prices into account.

I will however cut back feed a tad. I was worried this whole time that they weren't getting enough, everyone thought 'somebody' else had fed them. looking back I think perhaps too many of us were feeding them. one person will be in charge, and feed as you all mentioned here. thanks for the help!