Can you raise layer chicks and meat chicks together?

[niceguy0427]

I'm new to the forum, so forgive me if this subject has been brought up before.

My wife and I are planning on getting a half dozen layer chicks and a dozen or so meat (Cornish Cross) chicks.

Can we raise them together?

If so, about what age should we separate them or can we keep them together?

Thanks,

Don

 

[EricH]

I've raised them together before. The meat birds eat and poop, the layers eat a little, scratch a lot and like to roam. I wouldnt raise layers in a small enclosure as most raise their meat birds, but if given a little room i dont see why not.

 

[FMAFarms]

Our friends raise 50 meat chickens each year. They start them off in the brooder with the laying chicks; when they are old enough, the laying pullets are introduced to the coop and the meat chickens move to the tractor. They get big really fast, those meat chickens, and the ones our friends raise get those huge breasts so that they can barely walk. If we raised meat chickens -- we don't -- I'd keep them separate, just because the more active laying hens would mow down the ungainly meat chickens. But that's just me!

 

[OkChickens]

I do not raise my meat birds with my layer chicks. At 1 week of age they are HUGE in size compared to the chicks. After a week I take away my meat birds food about 6 in the evening and fill it up at 6 in the morning. I also feed my meat birds a higher protein food, my layer chicks eat chick starter.

-Nate

 

[soap&eggs]

I agree with Nate.... broilers - meat birds basically triple in size becuz of feed used ...if you raise broilers on regular chick starter they grow normal. and will take longer to grow out costing you more money . and also broilers should not roost....keep all your broiler bedding clean..they are a eatting pooping machine..messy fast. i allow mine alot more space then requires plus large out door grass fenced pen. ours do not get bald chest that are dirty like i have seen others that raise in small areas. and be warned they do eat alot and drink alot and poo alot more then regular chickens...give them extras like table scraps , basically most foods ((minus onions or garlic )) that you would eat are ok to feed them. good luck.

 

[gritsar]

I've done it. I wouldn't recommend it. It's like five times the work of raising layers alone.

 

[Sierra pachie bars]

I've done meats several times, my friend and I decided we wont do them again. I think I will just go for a duel purpose bird for now on. Takes longer to grow out but easier in the long run.

 

[Beekissed]

I've never raised the different types of chicks together but they should do okay if you provide adequate space for them to get to the feeder...the meat chicks will crowd out and trample the others at feeding time.

I raised 20 meaties~started as chicks~ with my adult layer flock and they grew accordingly and just as quickly on the same rations. It was quite successful but I did free range them with my flock and didn't feed them like others do on here. You can check out the thread on it if you do a search as I documented their progress from chick to finish.