Can You Feed Adult Chickens Medicated Starter/Grower?

[lazy gardener]

Perhaps shop somewhere else might be an option. A well known big box feed store in my area is woefully deficient in choices for feed, and their feed is often old, while their competitor several miles away always has exactly what I want and their feed always has a recent mill date.

Quote WV: "Around me, layer is always cheapest. Chick and flock-raiser types are always more expensive."

Agreed. Even in my area, medicated chick feed is more expensive than unmedicated.

 

[chickens really]

Starter grower is just starter feed....You need just plain grower or an all flock feed.....Phone around....

 

[RollTideChicken]

Thanks for all the input!
Yea I won't feed the adults the medicated feed. The layer feed I get has max calcium at 4% and the starter/grower has the max at 1.25%.
The co-op has game bird feed but it costs 60% more. I'll find something somewhere... TBH I only stumbled up on the feed thing for roosters here. Just how big a deal is it? I'd like them to be as healthy as possible.

 

[chickens really]

No real studies on the effects to Roosters....If that's all you can get? Feed it to him.....

 

[RollTideChicken]

The co-op and TSC are really my only options unless maybe I find something in Tennessee. I've seen starter and grower seperated and starter/grower together. I've looked at the tags and there isn't any difference between my starter/grower and grower.

 

[chickens really]

The co-op and TSC are really my only options unless maybe I find something in Tennessee. I've seen starter and grower seperated and starter/grower together. I've looked at the tags and there isn't any difference between my starter/grower and grower.

Protein % has to be different in the plain grower....

 

[RollTideChicken]

Yea the rooster I've got now has been eating layer for a year.
I let them out of the run for a few hours a day during the week and almost all day during the weekend. So maybe he'll be fine.

 

[debid]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/gout

This is the main issue. It doesn't happen quickly but it happens eventually. I'd suggest shopping around, too. The co-op here has feed options that they only order if requested. I can get a bag of 21% layer pellets, for example, if I call and ask for it and then pick up when the next truck comes.

 

[chickens really]

Yea the rooster I've got now has been eating layer for a year.
I let them out of the run for a few hours a day during the week and almost all day during the weekend. So maybe he'll be fine.

I would in all honesty, not worry about it and do as you have been....Many people I know feed layer without and issues to the Rooster..I feed grower because I raise many Chicks with Broody Hens...

 

[LadyRed76]

I feed my flock layer feed. I have two roosters and have not noticed any problems.
My Grandpa used to feed our chickens growing up chicken mash and at times Milo. They laid eggs everyday without layer feed.
So I wonder if I could pull them off layer and go with a mixed flock feed?