feeding rooster

[chickener]

is it ok to feed layers pellets to roosters or do they need a different feed

 

[Soccer Mom]

My boys eat whatever their ladies eat.

 

[HappyHatcher]

Yep - Mine too. The roos get what the girls get

 

[BarredBuff]

Both mine eat the Layena Crumbles with everyone else...

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

My roos eat what ever the other chickens eat!

 

[emys]

Over time, too much calcium isn't good for roosters (kidney failure risk). IF you have no long term interest in your rooster (as in you switch them out every 1-2 years for genetic diversity) then feed them what everyone else gets.

If you have an interest in keeping your roosters for long term breeding or pets then offer them a flock raiser type food on the side. Your girls will sometimes eat it too, but that is fine for them as long as they have access to layer as well or at least calcium supplement such as oyster shell.

Edit: Their diet is also impacted by how many things other than their regular feed you give them. If you feed a lot of scraps for instance, or if they free range daily, then the layer feed becomes less and less of their diet, since they can choose other things. If they are penned with no other food it would be more of a concern, and again, the concern is over time.

 

[canesisters]

OK - I know this is an old thread but I'm tossing it back up for some clear-i-fication.

My roo (about 5mos old) will hopefully be around for a long time. He is a pet who will, I hope, help me keep the girls safe. I don't intend to hatch out any of his chicks so I don't care about genetic diversity. My flock is small (6 total) so if I decide to add to it, I'll get a few new breeds.

Anyway - the question:
Should I feed layer feed AND flock raiser - both free choice along with oyster shell on the side?
Flock raiser only - free choice with oyster shell on the side?
Layer only and not worry about it?
Layer with oyster shell also - and not worry about it?

The girls have JUST started laying... well one of them has. 3 eggs this week. I'm planning to put out oyster shell this weekend - once I get the small feeder set up.

 

[canesisters]

Any opinions?

 

[galanie]

I use flock raiser with oyster shell and crushed egg shells on the side. That way roosters or younger birds don't have to eat all that calcium and the hens will have plenty.

 

[Chris09]

OK - I know this is an old thread but I'm tossing it back up for some clear-i-fication.

My roo (about 5mos old) will hopefully be around for a long time. He is a pet who will, I hope, help me keep the girls safe. I don't intend to hatch out any of his chicks so I don't care about genetic diversity. My flock is small (6 total) so if I decide to add to it, I'll get a few new breeds.

Anyway - the question:
Should I feed layer feed AND flock raiser - both free choice along with oyster shell on the side?
Flock raiser only - free choice with oyster shell on the side?
Layer only and not worry about it?
Layer with oyster shell also - and not worry about it?

The girls have JUST started laying... well one of them has. 3 eggs this week. I'm planning to put out oyster shell this weekend - once I get the small feeder set up.

If it was me,
I would feed the Flock Raiser only with free choice to oyster shells.

High amounts of Calcium in a diet is hard on any non-laying fowl (even hens that are not laying do to age or molt).


Chris