Can roosters eat layer feed? And when to switch pullets on layer feed

[Egg_cited]

This is my first rooster and I'm wondering if he can eat the same thing as the girls. I feed them organic layer pellets. To add on to that when can my pullets star eating layer pellets?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

A lot of people on here (me included) feed all flock instead of layer. Roosters should not eat layer feed and keeping non-laying pullets out of layer feed is a pain so a good alternative is to feed all flock or flock raiser to everyone and provide oyster shell in the side for the laying hens.

 

[K0k0shka]

I'm another fan of flock raiser feed ( can be called "flock raiser", "all flock" etc. depending on the brand, but it's the same idea - feed without added calcium, that's good for all ages of chickens). In fact I've never used layer feed. Chickens' calcium needs vary, even between the hens. They don't lay or need extra calcium when they molt, for example, or during their winter break, or when they stop laying when they are sick or injured, etc. It's better to let them decide when and how much they need, they are great at regulating themselves. Get them some kind of all flock feed without calcium, for the whole flock, and provide crushed eggshell or oyster shell in a separate container.

 

[Egg_cited]

A lot of people on here (me included) feed all flock instead of layer. Roosters should not eat layer feed and keeping non-laying pullets out of layer feed is a pain so a good alternative is to feed all flock or flock raiser to everyone and provide oyster shell in the side for the laying hens.

Ooo alright I'll have to look into that. Also for the girls that are already on layer are about 3 years old is it too late to switch them?

 

[Shadrach]

This is my first rooster and I'm wondering if he can eat the same thing as the girls. I feed them organic layer pellets. To add on to that when can my pullets star eating layer pellets?

Layer feed is for chickens that lay eggs. When your rooster starts laying eggs, that's the time to feed him layer feed.
The problem is the high Calcium content in layers feed. Hens can process and store in the bones of their legs these high levels of Calcium. Roosters can't do this.
Problems with feeding roosters layers feed may not show up for many years. The calcium builds up in their livers and kidneys and may lead to terminal organ failure later in life.

 

[Brooks_]

Ooo alright I'll have to look into that. Also for the girls that are already on layer are about 3 years old is it too late to switch them?

Not at all.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Another fan of All Flock with calcium (oyster shell) on the side.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Ooo alright I'll have to look into that. Also for the girls that are already on layer are about 3 years old is it too late to switch them?

No it is probably better for them since their laying has slowed down.

 

[YourChickHasAPastyButt]

Great thread... I was going to do the layer feed but just happened to think about our Australorp rooster and the extra calcium. Now when it's time (about a month) I'll be doing all flock, some oyster shell and some grit. Also have four younger ones that will be about two months behind the rest, (we initially ended up all Australorp roosters from straight run) so the pullets that will be replacing them would also be getting too much calcium. So much to learn. Great website.