Feeding The Roosters

[PandoraTaylor]

Mine all eat 50% flock raiser 50% layer pellets I give Oystershell in a seperate dish, Grit in another dish, and scratch, Boss & treats in the run.
they also get all the grass clippings in the summer, and I give Vegetables & scraps when available.

So they can eat what they feel they need.
I have not seen the roo eat oystershell, though he visits the grit dish.

 

[Akane]

It is probably not as healthy for a rooster to eat layer feed. How long do you want him to live though? It's not going to kill him in a year or 3 or probably even 5. Most are going to die from something other than less than optimal nutrition. Maybe a rooster that lived 8 years would have lived 10 but that doesn't really matter to most people. Even if it does it doesn't matter enough to try to feed him differently. If I had a pen of just roosters I'd probably feed something else but my pens of just roosters have a lifespan of less than 24hours because once I pen them up it means they aren't getting fed so I can butcher them the next day.

 

[delawaregirl09]

Does anyone keep them in separate pens altogether, only letting them mingle with the hens for certain times or something? This is really interesting to me because I think there are different affects of each side. Who knows? Lol.

 

[95yj]

all of my birds get game bird crumbles [the pheasants were here first and i refuse to buy yet another type of food], i'm not sure of the exact numbers but it has a higher protein content than most chicken feeds but they seem to do just fine on it, especialy in the winter it seems to help them out.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
My rooster lives with his hens, where he belongs IMO. How can he be their protector and provider if he's only visiting.

 

[technodoll]

I just posted this earlier tonight about roo diets, how neat!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=276753

 

[delawaregirl09]

That is neat Technodoll! I think were finished here, seems like most everyone just feeds them what they would feed the girls! Lol.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
If they are breeding flocks would the males not need to be with the females? If s, how do they get the males to eat only from their feeders & in turn how do they stop the females from eating from the male's feeders?
Where did you get this information?

 

[tdgill]

arent there different feeders that roos cant fit their head in or something?

mine have all been on 16% layer with the hens. but I am interested in other feeds. I am supplimenting with scrambled egg, some cat food and boss and scraps. I enjoy treating them but worry I might upset their dietary needs/balance.

 

[osusana]

I just read that since roos don't lay eggs, the calcium content in layer food is to high, and can cause kidney failure in roos. Just FYI.