Chickens will not eat layer crumble

[A_Fowl_Guy]

One last thing: Am I doing any harm to my rooster by giving him layer crumble along with everyone else? I've had them for four years and they all seem pretty healthy, but recently I've heard that it can be hard on their bodies.

I’d switch to an all flock then with oyster shell offered free choice. Excess calcium is hard on roosters kidneys.

 

[paneubert]

One last thing: Am I doing any harm to my rooster by giving him layer crumble along with everyone else? I've had them for four years and they all seem pretty healthy, but recently I've heard that it can be hard on their bodies.

Yes, the calcium is higher than the rooster needs and it can be hard on his system. Not going to kill him, but not ideal. If you want to make everyone happy, feed an "All Flock" or "Flock Raiser" to all the chickens and provide oyster shell on the side for the ladies to consume free choice.

 

[noisegeyser]

After a day of having nothing else my hens have taken to their crumble well, but my rooster is not interested. Sometimes he'll take some when the hens are eating it, but mostly I have to hold a handful of it in front of him to get him to eat any. Is there anything I could mix into the crumble to entice him to eat more, or would that be defeating the purpose? I'm pretty sure nothing's wrong with him. He looks and acts very healthy. I wanted to cut scratch because of it's low nutritional value, but now I'm worried about his caloric intake. I know he's not eating as much of it of his own volition as the hens since I've compared the sizes of their crops when I lock up my coop at night.

 

[feathermaid]

If I were you I'd switch to an All Flock feed the next time you have to buy a bag. I'm no expert, but I do read and research a lot and I've heard many stories of roosters falling over dead for no apparent reason, except there's usually layer feed involved. Many folks seem to think there's nothing wrong with it because their boys are just fine for several years, which is true... until they're not. I wouldn't take chances. I also like to feed pellets because there's not as much waste. Just be sure to offer oyster shell in a separate container for the layers.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Is there anything I could mix into the crumble to entice him to eat more, or would that be defeating the purpose?

Not a good idea. They will eat the goodies and bill out the feed.
I'm sure he won't starve if he's healthy. GC