Can roosters eat layer feed?

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

I have a mixed flock of several breeds. 21 pullets and 4 cockerels. The average age in my flock is about 12 1/2 weeks so they still have a ways to go before they think about laying. They are finishing up their last bag of chick starter and I'm about to put them on grower/finisher until about 18 weeks. I know the pullets will need layer feed by that time for good healthy egg production, but my pullets and cockerels are mixed together, and eat and drink out of the same dispensers. I don't want to separate the roos because I want them to protect the flock (they free range during the day). Can roosters eat layer feed without health problems?

 

[Mykee]

Sure! Mine do, and I don't have any problems. The layer feed just has extra calcium, so it shouldn't hurt unless you are raising for meat. Then you would keep them on the grower/finisher.

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

What does it do to the meat? I'm not raising meat birds, but sometimes if we end up with too many roosters or get a mean one we take them to freezer camp. Also I would just like to say that I am a huge Tolkien fan and your sig just made me smile.

 

[Mykee]

I don't think it does anything wrong to the meat, the feed just doesn't have as much protien and fat in it to put meat on your birds. We fed our extra roosters on layer and they turned out just fine.
Another Tolkien fan! It always makes me happy to see something with my favorite book; I was reading a pamphlet for Subaru Outback, and the first line of the description was "Not all who wander are lost." (From the poem describing Aragorn.) I was so happy seeing that; we actually ended up buying the car!

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

Excellent! I am brimming with excitement over The Hobbit coming out this December. I suppose I had better say something chicken related now. Glad to hear it doesn't do them harm. I was looking over another thread and one of the more prominent members said he just feeds all his adult birds grower/finisher but keeps a supply of free choice calcium nearby so the ladies can take some whenever they need it, and the roos generally leave it alone.