Feeding Roosters

[pawsplus]

I don't see that one can AVOID feeding roosters layer feed, right?? I mean, it's not as if they'll go to their own bowl. So is that OK? There is no danger in the excess calcium?

 

[Judy]

Plenty of roosters eat layer all their life, but that doesn't mean it's harmless. People who keep roosters separately often feed something like flock raiser -- which you can also feed your hens, if you supply oyster shell separately. I would imagine it would be hard to find any research on this, since commercial growers aren't likely to care.

 

[saladin]

Your in middle Tenn. There are plenty of options!

Go to your local coop and buy a bag of Gamefowl Scratch. Then buy some cat/dog food to get the meat protein up. Put the cock in his own pen and there you have it. Or, turn him loose where he can see the hens but can't get in the coop with them. He'll roost on top of it.

Or just let him be and don't worry about it.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

All of mine(hens and roosters) get Flock Raiser. The hens have oyster shell available to them in separate containers.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
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The shells are a little thinner since I started doing this but to be honest, they were almost too thick anyway. At least now I can crack them normally.

 

[pawsplus]

Quote:
I would never feed scratch OR dog food. Neither of those are appropriate foods for chickens! I also don't "turn loose" my chickens. It's possible that Bianco will have to live alone (next to the girls) but I'm hoping they can all get along, as that seems pretty cruel. I also haven't ruled out neutering him (vet hasn't gotten back to me yet).

Anyway, I guess I'll see if I can get something like Flock Raiser in a higher quality feed--the layer pellets I feed are organic and I would like something like that. I offer oyster shell anyway, as well as plenty of high protein treats (BOSS, mealworms, UltraKibble, etc.) so that might work. Thanks!