Let’s talk feed next
Here at Fenstermaker Family Farm we feed our broilers 20% non-GMO feed that we get from Berry Family Farm in Pleasantville, Ohio. It is non-medicated, and contains a higher protein quantity than traditional chicken layer feed but not high enough to, potentially, cause kidney failure. They receive the same feed from day 1 until we process them around 8-9 weeks.
We provide feed 24/7 the first week, and then move to a 12 on – 12 off schedule. Broilers have been known to engorge themselves when provided food 24/7. The Cornish-Cross breed is a hybrid chicken designed to grow quickly with large breasts. If they eat too much food they can suffer major health issues and even die. Some examples of health issues – kidney failure, splay leg, broke legs/inability to walk, heart failure and sudden death. By limiting the number of hours our broilers access food, we can avoid these issues and help control their weight gain at an appropriate rate. They have access to grass & bugs all day and we move the chicken tractor once a day to provide them with fresh grass and bugs. Note that while they are always happy to see food coming in the morning, they are not starved, and this is a similar feeding schedule that all of our birds have.
How does this differ?
There are feeds available from 18-28% protein available at most farm/feed stores. Some will contain medication, others without. Based on our research commercial facilities provide feed that contains anywhere from 24-45% protein, and are processed around 4-6 weeks of age.
*The information shared is how we at FFF raise our broilers.
*In effort to not upset the media world, f@ct checkers, and have our account suspended we will not be posting photos or information on the commercial world. We recommend you research the buzz words used in advertisements, look at the commercialized facilities & processes, and regulations around processing/butchering, ect