Feeding hens and roosters

[termeerchick]

so this might be a stupid question but I’ve only had hens up until about a month or two ago. I’ve always only fed layers pellets with oyster shell on the side and give scratch as treats every now and then. I have a couple roosters now so my question is do I switch to a different feed? Or do I add something else for the roosters? Also a few of my hens are having a hard molt. Is their something more I should be feeding them as well? Poor girls. It looks painful to have all those new feathers growing in. And it seems like the roosters are looking a little thin and that’s why I’m wondering if I need to feed them something different. They all free rage all day but I always have their food buckets full to have food available when they want. Any advice or tips would be so helpful. Thank You soooo much in advance!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

For now while they are molting and with the roosters, it would be a good idea to up the protein with a grower or all flock feed in the neighborhood of 18-20% protein.
Continue to provide oyster shell in a separate container for any still laying.
After recovery from molt, try to find about an 18% protein grower for them. Most people with roosters in a flock will feed like this - a non-layer feed (1% calcium) and oyster shell on the side. It works well for most. A lot of people feed high protein but personally, I think 20% is too much for adult chickens not molting.
Another option is to provide 2 types of feeders. Hang rooster feeder high enough that only they can use it and a hen feeder with openings too small for a rooster to get its head into like a DIY PVC feeder.

 

[termeerchick]

For now while they are molting and with the roosters, it would be a good idea to up the protein with a grower or all flock feed in the neighborhood of 18-20% protein.
Continue to provide oyster shell in a separate container for any still laying.
After recovery from molt, try to find about an 18% protein grower for them. Most people with roosters in a flock will feed like this - a non-layer feed (1% calcium) and oyster shell on the side. It works well for most. A lot of people feed high protein but personally, I think 20% is too much for adult chickens not molting.
Another option is to provide 2 types of feeders. Hang rooster feeder high enough that only they can use it and a hen feeder with openings too small for a rooster to get its head into like a DIY PVC feeder.

Thank you soo much! Yes I think for now I will do an all flock like you suggested with a high protein % and continue to offer the oyster shells on the side. I know the high protein is supposed to help with feather growth but do you think that will also help put some weight on the Roosters?
And then after the recovery of the molt and I start feeding a non-layer pellet, oyster shells will be enough calcium for the laying hens once they start laying good again? Thank you soo much for your reply! I appreciate it so much!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Once the hens are familiar getting their calcium from the oyster shell, it will be sufficient if continuously supplied.
The protein may help depending on why they are thin. They can't build muscle without protein. Are their keel bones prominent? They could have a parasite like worms or lice/mites.
It may be a good idea to have their fecal sample read.
After maturity, roosters don't need a lot of protein except during molt.

 

[termeerchick]

It’s so funny that you said that because that’s how I realized that they were thin. Yesterday I gave all the chickens their second doses of wormer and also gave them their second treatment for lice/mites. Some of the hens seemed a little thin but the roosters felt thinner then any of the rest of the chickens. Hopefully now that they have all been treated they will start to gain weight. Especially the roosters since they will be getting the right food.
I’ve always had the oyster shells available at all times so the hens know exactly where to get it. Will they just start eating more of the OS once they realize they aren’t getting the layers pellets? Should I still offer layers pellets with the all flock?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depending on how shell quality progresses, you should only need to offer the OS. Most will go for it if they feel the need.
If you do give layer, I would mix it half and half with the All Flock. That will yield about 2.5% calcium which will add a little more calcium for the hens and may not be enough to do much harm to the roosters.
Even if you only had hens, if they weren't laying due to molt, it wouldn't be appropriate to feed layer feed. Even hens, if they aren't producing eggs are female chickens, not layers.
Good luck in this excursion into rooster keeping.

 

[termeerchick]

Thank you so so much for all of your help. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!! I think for now I am going to feed an all flock with high protein like you suggested and just keep OS on the side in case they need it. Thank you so much for helping me come up with a plan. I’ll probably switch it up after the molting is over and they start laying regular again.