Can roosters have oyster shells?

[wings]

I have 4 six-month-old RIR pullets and 1 six-month old rooster. I have one feeder in the coop, and I give my peeps layer feed (I think all of them are laying) and mix oyster shells in. Is it okay if my rooster is eating the oyster shells and layer feed, even though he is obviously not laying?

Also, when I get my new chicks in Spring, how will I get them to not eat the layer feed and instead eat the chick starter? They will be in the coop with the layers. Do I need to get another feeder? Will they know not to eat the layer feed?

 

[HorseFeathers]

We give oyster shell free choice. If they want it they'll eat it. I'm not sure if the extra calcium would harm your roo though...

As for your chicks, we seperated ours in a fenced-off section of the coop for a while first.

 

[wings]

My coop is pretty small, though (only 4 x 10).

What about when they are big enough to co-exist, but they aren't yet laying? Is it okay to let them eat layer feed? Will that cause prolapse?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Absolutely, it is great for thier gizzards.

 

[wings]

Quote:
Do you know anything about my chick question, though??? I'm sort of worried...

 

[rooster-red]

The roosters will pick out the food and leave the oyster shell, they don't need it so they aren't even tempted to eat it.

Don't feed the roosters layer feed, the extra calcium will cause long term damage to their livers and deposits on their joints because they don't use it for egg production like the hens do.

 

[wings]

Quote:
So how do I get the roo to NOT eat the layer feed?

 

[rooster-red]

Chicks will eat anything, including layer feed if they have access.

Keep them seperate and feed them starter-grower.

 

[rooster0209]

Quote:
I understand this but..how long does a rooster really live anyway? Don't get me wrong, I like my roosters just as I do my hens. Mine all co-exist in the same coop and eat the same food

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
So how do I get the roo to NOT eat the layer feed?

If they are all housed together it will be tough to keep the roo's from eating the layer.

You might consider feeding grower feed and give a seperate feeder with oyster shell.