feeding increased calcium to hens

[the old rooster]

will my roosters be affected by the new feed? I have two flocks and each one has a Rooster.

 

[Perris]

yes. Layers feed is only good for laying hens. Youngsters and cockerels can be harmed by the extra calcium.

 

[Bantie Barb]

My roosters have always eat the same feed as my hens and have never harmed them.

 

[the old rooster]

so one vote for and one against..............

 

[Ferd Berfel]

will my roosters be affected by the new feed? I have two flocks and each one has a Rooster.

The roosters will be fine. Their poo may be calcium rich. Keeping them separated isn’t a fun task. Don’t worry about it. If you must worry feed regular feed and additional calcium free choice.

 

[Perris]

this comprehensive and supported answer is from another thread on the same topic

Excellent deduction.
Yes, excessive calcium can be detrimental to roosters (or any non egg producing bird).
The additional 3% calcium over what is in all feeds besides layer is for building egg shells.
A bird not using that excess will need to process it and shed it by the kidneys. The result is urolithiasis and sometimes visceral gout. Kidney damage in most lines of roosters fed a steady diet of layer feed is common. Whether males or females, birds with kidney damage won't exhibit symptoms as long as at least two of the six kidney segments are still functioning. Once one of the last segments fails, they'll die within 24 hours - often with no symptoms. If people don't have a necropsy performed on a sudden death, they'll never know the cause.
Furthermore, regarding breeding, roosters can develop stones in the epididymis leading from the testes which interfere with sperm function. Additionally, those roosters also have lower testosterone, testes weight and sperm production.
It may not hurt them short term, but if you want to keep your roosters for breeding long term, don't feed them a high calcium feed.
Statistics also show that male broiler breeders die at 4 times the rate of hens when fed a layer diet.

https://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=36

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024320511002219

These are just a couple articles on the topics.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I wouldn’t feed them layer feed. An all flock or flock raiser is a better choice for roosters.

 

[Starburst]

The higher calcium content isn't very good for the roosters, and layer feed tends to have only about 15-17% protein. I've heard that roosters are generally better off with more protein, say at least 18%. As said before, I would recommend an All Flock or Flock Raiser feed instead.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

will my roosters be affected by the new feed? I have two flocks and each one has a Rooster.

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Good for you for paying attention to the details!

I'm gonna add the second vote AGAINST layer feed, as MY personal choice for multiple reasons.. I NEVER ever use it now. The quote posted by Perris was great information and here is a link to a recently active thread with much discussion that might be an enjoyable review on the subject to consider how YOU feel about YOUR flock...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-do-you-feed-your-rooster-s.1408018/#post-23116068

Please tag (or quote) me once you've decided and share your thoughts!

Are you in the US? Please consider adding your general location to your profile since not all countries have the same resources available it can help folks make their best suggestions possible at a glance.. weather related, etc also.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I've heard that roosters are generally better off with more protein, say at least 18%.

Once juvenile roosters are grown they aren't making eggs or anything else.. and I have read much lower protein need in males than female birds.. sometimes as low as 12%... just look at game bird maintenance rations which have much higher nutrient requirement early in life than chickens.

Crude protein is NOT the primary factor either.. it's amino acids that really matter.. added in synthetically to many vegetarian feeds since chickens require some animal derived amino acids which cannot be found in plant sources... according to my CURRENT understanding.

18% would be close to MY preferred bottom, as it gives room for whatever they eat on pasture, etc. So I'm not completely in disagreement with you.. just expanding on the thought a bit.. I also like Flock Raiser, it's what I use.