3 Important Tips for Successfully Raising Meat Chickens

Chicken. Photo from The Guardian

No matter what kind of chickens you are raising, or for what purpose, you probably know that they require a lot of care. Below you will find a breakdown of three very important things to remember when raising chickens for meat.

What to Feed:

When raising chickens for meat, one of the most important things to consider is their feed. Be sure to have appropriately sized feeders and waterers throughout the lifespan of your birds, changing the sizes as they grow to allow them to eat easily and avoid wasting any feed. Automatic waterers are helpful to avoid wet litter.

Feeding throughout the lifespan:

1. Chicks should begin with a well-balanced starter feed that contains 20 to 25% protein.

2. After week four, shift to a feed that provides 17% to 19%.

3. If fed too high of a level of protein, the chickens can develop leg problems.

4. For the last 2 to 3 weeks, provide feed that is high-energy.

Keeping Areas Clean:

Before starting new chicks, areas should be completely cleaned and disinfected. All previous littler needs to be removed. The area should be scrubbed, scraped, washed and then disinfected. Once the space has been aired out, fresh litter can be placed on the floor.

Living Spaces:

Meat chickens should have a clean, protected indoor space where they spend most of their time. The area should be fenced for their protection. At 6 to 10 weeks, the birds require 1 square foot each of space. For example, if you have 5 birds, their area should be roughly 5 square feet. Following week 10, it should be increased to 3 square feet per bird. Wood shavings make the best bedding. Straw is also acceptable if finely chopped so it does not hold moisture. Always remove wet spots.

Disease Prevention:

It is extremely important to keep your birds healthy and disease free. Isolation is key in doing this. If you have different flocks, be sure to keep them separated, as well as keeping the birds separate from other animals. Keep their environment clean and provide clean waterers.

Breast Blisters:

When the tissue on the breastbone becomes irritated, it can cause breast blisters. To avoid blisters, remember these:

• Do not have any sharp edges in their space

• Avoid overcrowding the birds

• Keep their space clean and dry

Feather Pecking:

Chickens can sometimes become aggressive, causing feather pecking and even leading to cannibalism among your birds. In order to avoid this, be sure to:

• Avoid overcrowding

• Feed in adequate amounts

• Provide enough space for birds

• Provide enough drinking area for each bird

• Care for any injured birds, as the sight of blood encourages this behavior

By properly caring for your birds, you should receive successful harvests. Remember the importance of proper feeding, keeping areas clean and open, and keeping a close eye on your chickens.