Need Chicks to grow fast! Ideas on Meals.

[KinderKorner]

I am entering a meat pen catogory in a chicken show in july. Well I was suppose to pick up some Cornish Crosses at the feed store but sadly I was on vacation when they came in. The only choice I had left at this late time is Buff Orps. Instead of giving up I am determined to try and make a go of it.

I always have the best looking chickens at the show, and only like two people enter the meat pen, their chickens are muddy and unhealthy looking. But they are the only competators. Even though I don't have Cornish Cross I am hoping with lots of food and attention my Buff Orps will at least have a chance.

But I need some tips on what to feed them. They are eating just a chick grower/starter right now. What are some things can feed them to make them grow faster and bigger? Also will they even be an acceptable size by july 11?

(I had some growing a few weeks ago. But sadly they died in a inland hurricain. So I have to start over with new chicks again.)

 

[Omran]

I am afried if you give them the wrong feed just to let them outgrow, might kill them.
I honestly have no clue, I just wanted the thread to go up again.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I would feed them Purina poultry Show Chow. If you want them to gain more weight quicker, you will need to leave a light on them 24/7. Depending on when in July your show is, and if you have a hatchery near you, you still might be able to get some cornish cross chicks. Good Luck!

 

[upthecreek]

Where do you live at ? A hurricane few weeks ago ? wow ....

I heard about a guy over feeding his game chickens on milk mixed with bread , yogurt , cream (this mixed w/starter feed)(undoubtly he was getting this that was out of date) , they were so fat they could hardly walk .


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[MoodyChicken]

Your Buff Orps will never reach weight. First off, they're an egg breed. They're bodies are light and long. Second, they're slow growing and forcing a fast growth rate on them will probably do more harm then good (fat not muscle plus long term health problems). Try to find any game breed or pure Cornish. They may not reach weight, but they will at least have the proper body type.

 

[Schultz]

Buffs grow fast anyway but when we had to fatten up our rescues we gave them a lot of eggs mixed with evaporated milk and then scrambled in the mocrowave for 35 seconds per egg. Hope that helps.

 

[millerwb]

I have my meat birds on Turkey Starter (30% protien) but I woudl think that Broiler Feed wold work as well.