Could layer feed hurt my chickens if they aren't laying?

[naturemom]

I've been making my own feed, but I recently decided to buy feed for a while until I can find a local source of grains. So now they're on layer feed, and it recently occurred to me that since none of them are laying right now (no supplemental light) it might have more calcium than they need. I know that can be a problem for roosters. Mine are all hens, just not laying. Should I switch them to something else?

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I dont think layer feed would hurt them. Mine have not laid for a while and they are fine

 

[MandyH]

All mine get layer feed and are fine.

 

[Redfeathers]

Your rooster might start getting a girlie figure.

 

[patandchickens]

I have read a number of places that excess calcium can be hard on their kidneys and that one should therefore not give layer feed to nonlaying birds.

OTOH I know a lot of people give layer feed to chickens that are not really laying and by and large they seem fine.

So I dunno. It may depend how paranoid you are, and/or how much you'd kick yourself if a problem developed.

Pat

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Quote:
Not to mention those tiny "rooster" eggs start appearing every now and then.

 

[airmom1c05]

Does this mean cheese is a worse treat for roosters and young pullets? What should you feed a rooster? The lady at our local feed and seed told me the layer crumbles were fine for him. How would one go about making sure the rooster only ate rooster food and the hens only ate layer crumbles? These and SO many questions to ponder in Chickenville!

 

[Redfeathers]

My rooster eats layer pellets and is absolutely fine. He gets lots of veggies and gets to free range about an hour a day...so the bugs, grass, and other goodies seem to be all he needs.

 

[airmom1c05]

Thank you, Redfeathers. I have no more fingernails to bite tonight. Why is it so much fun to be outside with the chickens, but when I come inside to research on the computer I get so overloaded with info my stress level rises? I know.....I love my chickens and want to do everything just right. Sigh....

 

[unionwirewoman]

There is no such thing as rooster food . Layer feed is just fine for them . You start to feed layer feed when they start laying . If you do it too soon , it's hard on the developing chicks / pullets body . Hens do not get all of the shell forming material from the feed , thus the reason for oyster shell .