Can roosters have oyster shells?

[KellyHM]

Eating layer feed won't hurt your rooster...it doesn't have a large enough amount of calcium in it to do any harm to him...if it did we wouldn't have to supplement the hens w/ oyster shell. My chicks go into the big coop around 8 weeks and that's when they start eating layer crumbles...I've never had any problems, even though some people will tell you otherwise. I think it's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[rooster-red]

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

They can live as long as 13-15 years

 

[wings]

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.

So layer feed isn't necessary?

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
I guess it would be relevant to how long your rooster lives as far as ever seeing the damage. Its not hearsay, it has been proven in studies and backed up by necropsies.

How old is was your oldest rooster when it died?

If the roosters are going to be butchered, then it doesn't matter, but if you want them to live as long as possible, it does matter.

 

[KellyHM]

Quote:
I guess it would be relevant to how long your rooster lives as far as ever seeing the damage. Its not hearsay, it has been proven in studies and backed up by necropsies.

How old is was your oldest rooster when it died?

If the roosters are going to be butchered, then it doesn't matter, but if you want them to live as long as possible, it does matter.

I haven't had any die yet...my oldest one is about 7.

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
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.

So layer feed isn't necessary?

Check the ingredients labels, you'll find the difference between grower and layer is a calcium suppliment.

You don't have to feed layer as long as you are providing a calcium suppliment seperate from the feed.

 

[ozark hen]

Since I keep all my chickens and guineas together in the coop at night...that is where their feed is at...I have, game bird, oyster shell, layer feed...all in the same room. They all eat whatever they want and I have had no problems at all. There are times when the ducks sneak in and help themselves ....they are fine. Now this is just my experience...it is not written in stone.

 

[jhm47]

I've fed nothing but layer feed to my roosters for eternity. They have all done just fine on it, and I have not lost any. They can excrete the excess calcium, provided that they have adequate access to water.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Quote:
Mr. Red:
I do need some clarity. Are you saying that CHICK roos should stay away from layer feed ? I have caught my roos in the oyster shell on several occasions (grown adults). Now whether they were eating it or just picking at it is undetermined. It is in a small neoprine horse feeder.

I leave out layer in a feeder seperate from the poultry grain.

I also put down poultry grain on the floor in the morning. What is facinating is the birds will wait for this rather than go and feed from the feeder that is hanging in the barn!
I am guessing they just love to scratch at it.

I put enough layer in a small rubber horse feeder, enough for the day. it is uaully gone by evening.

My roos are mostly out during the day to free range, so I do not know if they are eating it.

The waterer IS ALWAYS looked after. VERY rarely is it dry and I only allow 2 gallons so I will be FORCED to replenish it daily.

Please do tell me if I am not doing my birds a good thing. I have a lot of time, money and effort in my flock and I would be sick to find out down the road I have harmed them.

I just started using the layer about a month ago, still have the first 50 pounds in the bin and it is about half empty.

I noticed the birds were getting a bit thin and the egg production just was horrid.

Now I have some pretty plump bird and I am geting around 6 eggs per day, not bad for the horrid temps we are experiencing at this moment.

BTW, the hens do not really go after the oyster shell as much as i thought they would. This was true even before I added the layer feed.

I will not use grower or starter on adult birds unless they are sick, they seem to like this.

Edited to add: