Do I have to feed my hens a layer if I have a rooster?

[Cyprus]

Put them on all flock or grower and offer oyster shell on the side for the hens. Straight up corn and nothing else is not nutritionally adequate chicken feed.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

No you just feed all flock feed.Layer is not good for roosters or anything that isn’t a laying hen or pullet.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Layer feed is not good for a rooster

Yes you should feed them a complete feed, preferably a layer feed if they are laying eggs.
Feeding ONLY corn with cause you many problems, it is not a complete feed.

 

[TattooedChicks]

I have both roosters and chicks all together, I feed game bird crumbles or all-flock with oyster shell/ crushed egg shells for the hens.

 

[Diannastarr]

Someone please help me.... I am new to chickens. If I have 1 rooster and 4 hens do I have to feed them a layer or can I just feed them corn.

from my bad experience with the layer feed that killed my beloved gorgeous aussie splash roo, they do make a feed called flock raiser i think at the tractor supply or ask were you get your feed to see if they carry it , but i just bought chick grower feed because my feed store didnt have any alternative feed for the entire flock, and i added into that some show bird conditioner, and my flock has been on that all winter and it helped with molt , they seem to be doing well , but i also ferment scratch & seeds for them and mix that into their wet feed, i mix water into the feed and make it like cooked oatmeal , i also sprinkle into that mixture some old fashioned oatmeal & left over salad or vegies and other left over food from my kitchen apples and what ever fresh food i can toss in , just do your best and use logic , but if you are worried about your roos , its just best not to feed them layer feed.!

 

[Spartan22]

I have hatched some chicks last spring and have accidental roo that has 10 laying hens, they’re all 11 months old now, I put them all on flock raiser by Purina since 18 wks old with crushed oyster shell on the side. Even though he will be with us temporarily, I want him healthy until I can get rid of him, maybe in couple of months.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I am also in the all flock with OS on the side... The roo doesn't need the calcium the way the ladies do... and you have got to get them off the corn. Corn alone is not enough for your chickens. If they've been on it for a while, then they are undoubtedly malnourished, simply because they aren't getting enough nutrients.

 

[RWise]

I also use game bird chow, a bit higher protein and no shell in it, and oyster shell/egg shell, as wanted by the hen. I have read that to much shell will hurt the roo's liver. I also toss whole corn in the evenings, not a lot, it makes a nice yellow fat,,, other than that they get what they need from their run. Ok I also toss out scrapes the dogs dont eat,,,,
Ever seen a 2 day old chick eating whole corn? I have,,,,

 

[Diannastarr]

I also use game bird chow, a bit higher protein and no shell in it, and oyster shell/egg shell, as wanted by the hen. I have read that to much shell will hurt the roo's liver. I also toss whole corn in the evenings, not a lot, it makes a nice yellow fat,,, other than that they get what they need from their run. Ok I also toss out scrapes the dogs dont eat,,,,
Ever seen a 2 day old chick eating whole corn? I have,,,,

i toss out some low ash dry cat food for an afternoon treat & give OS on the side, with the chick grower feed , but the game bird chow sound like a good idea, i will try some & thanks for telling us about it..!!!!

 

[getaclue]

Silkie, NEVER feed chickens just corn. Most layer feeds are not too high in calcium for the rooster to eat along with the hens. A better option is a Grower/Raiser feed, because the protein content is usually a little higher, and there is slightly less calcium added, so free-choice oyster shell for extra calcium is needed. This is where reading labels pays off. Different brands are formulated differently, so check percentages.