Best way to feed roosters and hens living in the same coop.

[JFF12]

So I’d like to get by using one kind of feed for both. I know laying hens have different needs than roosters so my question is: how best to pull this off? Can rosters get by on a layer feed? Should I use a “non- layer” feed and just keep a source of calcium out in another feeder for the girls? I read someplace that if I do that the hens will basically take what they need and the roosters will show no interest. Is that accurate? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

All Flock for all birds at all life stages. Free choice oyster shell, free choice grit, and plenty fo fresh clean water at all times. Easy for you, good for your birds.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I feed mine all flock with oyster on the side. I want my rooster to have a long, happy, healthy life, so I prefer not to chance having problems develop later.

 

[Aunt Angus]

If the rooster is only eating layer feed he will develop kidney damage over time. But most people don't keep a rooster longer than 2 years in general. Knowing the side effects of calcium should give you a reasonable conclusion of how you want to manage them.

Exactly. If I were going to butcher my rooster, it wouldn't matter, and layer would be easier. But I want my guy to live out his years with my girls. No one gets culled here. It depends on your goals.

 

[Brooks_]

I much prefer the all flock/oyster shell method because even an all hen flock won't need all the extra calcium in layer feed all the time.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I much prefer the all flock/oyster shell method because even an all hen flock won't need all the extra calcium in layer feed all the time.

This is a good point, too. If you ever add younger birds to your flock, you won't have to change anything, really.

 

[Pghelp]

I have a mixed flock, no roos, but older ladies slowing down in laying and pullets not yet laying mixed with active layers. I feed grower feed to the whole gang and provide oyster shells, crushed eggshells, and grit in the coop at all times for whenever they need it. For years I went back and forth using layer feed when I had only layers then switching to grower when integrating new pullets. No more! Grower feed year around for all now and they’re thriving.

 

[Shadrach]

I may have missed it but I didn't see anything that stated how you keep your chickens.
The layer v other feeds is exactly as ChickenCanoe writes. It's one of those it does what it says on the tin answers.
There is an added complication I've found with free rangers who get mealtime commercial feed. Roosters that have hens tend to spend most of the groups forage time keeping watch for predators while the hens eat. When he does dig and find something good he calls his hens, or even picks it up and drops it in front of them. So, ime roosters get less to eat during the daily forage hours and eat more of the commercial feed than the hens at meal times.
The kidney damage is cumulative but ingesting high levels of calcium in a shorter period of time exacerbats the problem.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

flock raiser and all flock are basically the same thing, low calcium and higher crude protein.

I would say so without looking at the guaranteed analysis tag. Theoretically 'all flock' should have a vitamin balance that can nurture waterfowl.
I've seen grower feed that is basically the same as all flock/flock raiser.
As I said before, it doesn't matter what the mill calls their feed. What matters is the protein(amino acid balance) vitamins and minerals. I've seen great disparities in vitamin content of feeds from different companies that all name them 'all flock'. That's why the name doesn't matter.
For instance, Purina flock raiser has almost twice the level of fat-soluble vitamins as that in one of the lines of Nutrena feed - also called flock raiser. Not to mention disparities in minerals and water-soluble vitamins.

If you have a choice between two or more feeds, go online or call the company and ask what the specific nutrient levels are in the feeds. They should be willing to provide that info.
Not all nutrients are required to be on analysis tags. Regs differ for each species of animal.
Vitamins A and D aren't required to be listed but, in my experience, those that do list them tend to have higher levels of those nutrients than competitors.

Know your numbers, check your tags. The "style" (layer, all flock, flock raiser, starter/grower, etc) is suggestive, nothing more. The Nutritional Label is where the educated buyer goes first. Then check the bag for the mill date.

 

[Tookie]

I have a 7 1/2 yo old rooster who I believe has mostly eaten layer in his life and hasn't had any problems. I also have a 4yo rooster who has always eaten layer and hasn't had any problems. That's my experience.