Feeding a mixed flock?

[Rte.66_chicks]

I need some advice from those who keep roos with their ladies. Since my chicks are now 16-17 weeks old, it's time to switch them from Start 'n Grow. However, I will be keeping one of my cockerels, and have read that a steady diet of layer feed can be harmful to them. They free range several hours every day, but their main source of food is the feeder.

Would it be better to feed the whole flock a turkey/game bird food and provide eggshells/oystershell for the pullets to eat as needed, or to feed layer food for the ladies with a small feeder of the game bird food and hope the roo chooses that? Or two big feeders, one with layer and the other with game bird feed? Eggshells/oystershell will be available free choice, no matter what I end up feeding them.

 

[morelcabin]

I have always fed my roos layer pellets along with the hens...never hurt them.

 

[smith2]

I feed my roos the same as my layers. Don't know about the long term effects because I have only had this flock about 1.5 years. I do throw the whole group some corn and mixed grains in the fall and winter.