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.

 

[Tookie]

I've always fed layer and had no problem with the roosters.
If you want a feed for both hens and roosters get a grower/starter feed and have oyster shell on the side.

 

[NatJ]

Can rosters get by on a layer feed?

Yes, they can. They may have some issues in time, from the extra calcium, but that takes a while to show up. Depending on how long you keep the roosters, you might never see problems (like if you replace the rooster every year, he might be fine on layer feed for the entire time you have him.)

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.

That also works fine.
Yes, the hens and roosters are pretty good at knowing how much calcium they need, so each will usually eat the right amount.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That is accurate. It is always a good idea to provide oyster shell in a separate container for productive hens. There are several approaches to the problem. One fairly simple one is to hang a feeder out of the reach of the hens with a low calcium, low protein feed or a grower feed with some grain mixed in for the roosters.
Place the layer feed lower and perhaps even in something the rooster can't get his head in.

 

[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.

 

[Tonyroo]

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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.