change in rooster's behavior with hens

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

I personally saw improvements by older hens suddenly laying again and I no longer see any egg eating or feather picking like I did on occasion when I fed a layer. That little bit of extra protein in my opinion made a huge difference with my flock.

That is really amazing! We are definitely going to try to increase protein.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

This is absolutely true!
I have a similar problem as the OP.
My bantam Cochin cockerel Frodo used to be very healthy and vigorous.
He crowed and bred with the girls as much as he could.
His comb and wattles were plump and red.
View attachment 1581750
I gave him to a friend and after a couple of months he began to deteriorate at her house.
She assumed he was depressed because the ONE pullet that he had ended up dying.
She picked Frodo up and was shocked to discover that he was emaciated.
Another bantam rooster I’d given her was perfectly healthy.
Long story short, Frodo is back at my house now.
He’s been here about a week and I’m disturbed by his condition.
Shrunken comb and bad color.
I think he sits with Pippin because he likes her warmth.
View attachment 1581751
No crowing- no breeding- extremely emaciated- very hungry for protein and greens but he doesn’t eat much feed.
I’ve checked his crop and it doesn’t decrease very much in size overnight so I think there may be a problem there.
I caught him eating a leaf in the coop run and I hope he’s eating the grit I have in there’s because stuff like that is just going to exacerbate the problem.
I feed all my birds 20% flock Raiser with oyster shell free choice.
I massage his crop several times a day and give him protein treats and greens.
I won’t free range him right now because I’m afraid in his condition he won’t be able to defend himself if the others want to fight.

Poor guy.

 

[Folly's place]

I also feed Flock Raiser, which is a better diet all around, IMO, rather than layer, which is meant for small bodied actively laying hens in confinement, who eat nothing else.
With oyster shell on the side, the 20% higher fat diet, which does include probiotics, and is always fresh at my feed store, keeps all my chickens in good shape.
I'm also not interested in fermenting chicken feed, it just goes out into their feeders.
Mary

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This is absolutely true!
I have a similar problem as the OP.
My bantam Cochin cockerel Frodo used to be very healthy and vigorous.
He crowed and bred with the girls as much as he could.
His comb and wattles were plump and red.
View attachment 1581750
I gave him to a friend and after a couple of months he began to deteriorate at her house.
She assumed he was depressed because the ONE pullet that he had ended up dying.
She picked Frodo up and was shocked to discover that he was emaciated.
Another bantam rooster I’d given her was perfectly healthy.
Long story short, Frodo is back at my house now.
He’s been here about a week and I’m disturbed by his condition.
Shrunken comb and bad color.
I think he sits with Pippin because he likes her warmth.
View attachment 1581751
No crowing- no breeding- extremely emaciated- very hungry for protein and greens but he doesn’t eat much feed.
I’ve checked his crop and it doesn’t decrease very much in size overnight so I think there may be a problem there.
I caught him eating a leaf in the coop run and I hope he’s eating the grit I have in there’s because stuff like that is just going to exacerbate the problem.
I feed all my birds 20% flock Raiser with oyster shell free choice.
I massage his crop several times a day and give him protein treats and greens.
I won’t free range him right now because I’m afraid in his condition he won’t be able to defend himself if the others want to fight.

Just a suggestion - since he went to new ground - you may want to get a fecal float to rule out Coccidiosis. If the crop is not emptying completely overnight, then I would continue to work on that as well.

 

[Folly's place]

x2! Have a fecal checked for sure. And have a necropsy done, if the worst happens. Hope he recovers!
Mary

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

So I did some more research, and of all the types of feed manufactured by our preferred feed brand, Scratch & Peck (an organic, local producer here in Washington State), the highest levels of protein (19% minimum) are found in broiler feed. Is it OK to give broiler feed to fully grown (age 1-3 years) laying hens and rooster?

Looking at the ingredient list for all the different types of Scratch & Peck feed, they are all the same. What seems to vary is the proportion of the main ingredients: peas, wheat, barley, and corn. Also, corn is included in the broiler feed and in the winter version of the layer feed, but not in the grower feed. And, layer feed has limestone added. There are several other ingredients in all the types of feed such as flaxseed meal, fish meal flaxseed oil, and sesame oil. The label also lists a "vitamin and mineral pre-mix" which Scratch & Peck tells me is the same across the board.

 

[Skipper81]

Our rooster Peter has always been good with his ladies, sharing food and treats, calling them over when he finds a tasty morsel, etc. Lately, however, he has been doing the opposite, chasing the girls away (particularly those who are his least favorite) in order to stuff his face.

What could explain this change in behavior? The only excuse I can think of is that he's molting and instinctively feels that he needs more nutrition himself in order to fulfill his duties properly. He's not molting nearly as hard as some of the girls though.

Also, Peter has almost completely stopped mating with the ladies. It used to be the first thing he wanted to do in the morning, chasing each hen as they came out of the coop in the morning until he got at least one to squat for him. Now he just makes a beeline for the food (I bring out fresh fermented feed when I let them out of the coop in the morning, and refill in the afternoon).

Any ideas? Thanks all!

Moult

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So I did some more research, and of all the types of feed manufactured by our preferred feed brand, Scratch & Peck (an organic, local producer here in Washington State), the highest levels of protein (19% minimum) are found in broiler feed. Is it OK to give broiler feed to fully grown (age 1-3 years) laying hens and rooster?

Looking at the ingredient list for all the different types of Scratch & Peck feed, they are all the same. What seems to vary is the proportion of the main ingredients: peas, wheat, barley, and corn. Also, corn is included in the broiler feed and in the winter version of the layer feed, but not in the grower feed. And, layer feed has limestone added. There are several other ingredients in all the types of feed such as flaxseed meal, fish meal flaxseed oil, and sesame oil. The label also lists a "vitamin and mineral pre-mix" which Scratch & Peck tells me is the same across the board.

I believe a meat maker ration is designed to have them put on fat. I don't think I would feed that full time. I have fed a non medicated grower long term, and currently feed either the grower if I have chicks or a pellet all flock ration. Mine are 18% protein. I'm not sure of the fat content I would have to look. More than likely the meat bird has more fat?

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

Hmm, I'm not sure if the Scratch & Peck broiler feed is higher in fat. Here are the ingredients for the broiler vs. the grower:

Broiler: Organic Peas, Organic Wheat, Organic Barley, Organic Corn, Organic Flaxseed Meal, Fish Meal, Organic Sesame Meal, Ground Limestone, Organic Flaxseed Oil, Vitamin and Mineral Pre-Mix

Grower: Organic Wheat, Organic Barley, Organic Peas, Organic Flaxseed Meal, Fish Meal, Ground Limestone, Organic Flaxseed Oil, Vitamin and Mineral Pre-Mix

It could be slightly higher fat since it contains sesame oil while grower doesn't...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C954&title=Nutrition for the Backyard Flock

This lists the needs of each stage. Hopefully helpful.