How do you feed your Rooster(s)?

[Jackiebjackie]

Feather fixer I have seen.. is usually slightly higher in protein and amino acids than layer. It USED to have sulfur in it and claim to combat mites, but NO longer does. It does however have at least 4%+ calcium and is meant for layers. Choosing ANY flock raiser, all flock, or grower/finisher, meat bird.. anything with less calcium would be a BETTER choice, than feather fixer.. which if you're seeing feather issues.. could either be pecking order antics, crowding, or parasite issue that needs to be addressed.


Different companies use different terms to confuse us and have more products to sell. Flock raiser and all flock are both going to be higher in protein and amino acids than layer while also being lower in calcium. To me the Purina Flock raiser is higher in nutrient than whoever makes the All Flock.. LAST time I checked anyways. But as stated by another poster.. The Purina FR.. is what is available to me all the time with a high enough turnover that it has fresh mill dates. And the cost is the best on a per nutrient basis.. in MY location.


OS in layer is cheaper than protein in all flock... Since my birds eat their oyster shell on the side.. my actual feed usage is closer to 0.18- 0.20 # per bird than the stated usage of 0.25# per bird.. remember.. they will get about 3% (or 75% of their calcium need) now on the side.. so overall consumption of FR goes down.. leveling out the price AND you DO get what you pay for far beyond the surface price of a dollar.... again my birds return from molt sooner, my family IS getting MORE nutrients in the eggs we eat, the bird immune system is more supported without added magic fixes like acv or fermenting, etc.


Agree with info given by Nat J!

Noting that feeding roosters "layer" is not IDEAL.. but that doesn't mean we are here to fear monger anyone in any way.. "layer" would be better than say "scratch" because at least it's a complete ration just with excess calcium.. verses being deficient in EVERY area.

Plenty of folks feed their rooster layer and have them live long happy and healthy lives. Sometimes even when folks know all the POSSIBILITIES doesn't mean they will ever face it. Example, some folks drink Pepsi happily ever after and NEVER face a BIT of consequences.. MY genetic predisposition and ultimately onset of diabetes however, means drinking Pepsi might have killed me years ago and certainly made my body suffer fall out along the way to that early death.. including kidney stones, yeast infections, congestive heart failure and more... recovering slowly if at all from any onslaught against the immune system.

Maybe that wasn't a perfect example.. despite not feeding layer (or not drinking Pepsi, which I used to LOVE, in my example).. some roosters (and people) will still die too young without any genetic predisposition or imperfect feeding. So we stay alert and aware learning all we can.. THEN do our best and forget the rest!

My personal best changes throughout time.. as does my understanding as well as my resources and even my adventures. So glad we can share the journey as the best online community I know of!

Eggsighted4life, I just wanted to thank you and Mary @folly’ place (I don’t know how to tag properly here) on all the insight you ladies have given me. I’ve decided moving forward to mix the starter feed I’ve used along with the grower feed that I’m currently using on a 1-1 ratio. This comes out to 18.75% protein, min. of .9% lysine and min. of 3.5% methionine. I’ve started doing that with the leftover starter feed that I have for them, and for whatever reason, they used to spill chick feed EVERYWHERE, but now they are eating everything, and I’m super stoked about it! Though it is a little bit more work, the extra nutrition will be beneficial to everyone, and when I see the first egg (the older ones are 16 weeks as of today!), I’ll incorporate oyster shells next to their grit. This post originally started because I was curious what to feed my roo, but I’ve learned so much more about what’s important not just for him but the entire flock in the long run. So thanks again!

Jackie please listen to what Eggsighted4life has posted for you and notice all the other folks that have liked her response also. They know what they are talking about as well as experienced and noteworthy chicken and other poultry owners/keepers. Don’t waste your time expense and energy making mistakes like what I think you maybe contemplating doing with feeding everyone layer feed. If your going to have a rooster feed it right for what it’s worth - that’s just my two cents. Good luck to you and I wish you the very best with your flock.

I totally agree! She’s given me SO much information and articles to read about, and I feel so much more confident in what I’m going to do moving forward when my flock!

I’m so glad that I posted here as this thread became such an informative post not just for me but many others that might not have considered the differences in feed. I’ve learned there’s no right or wrong way about it, and it’s all preference of the flock owner. Thank you guys for sharing your insight and how YOU raise your flock! I’ve learned so much from all of you!

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Eggsighted4life, I just wanted to thank you and Mary @folly’ place (I don’t know how to tag properly here) on all the insight you ladies have given me. I’ve decided moving forward to mix the starter feed I’ve used along with the grower feed that I’m currently using on a 1-1 ratio. This comes out to 18.75% protein, min. of .9% lysine and min. of 3.5% methionine. I’ve started doing that with the leftover starter feed that I have for them, and for whatever reason, they used to spill chick feed EVERYWHERE, but now they are eating everything, and I’m super stoked about it! Though it is a little bit more work, the extra nutrition will be beneficial to everyone, and when I see the first egg (the older ones are 16 weeks as of today!), I’ll incorporate oyster shells next to their grit. This post originally started because I was curious what to feed my roo, but I’ve learned so much more about what’s important not just for him but the entire flock in the long run. So thanks again!



I totally agree! She’s given me SO much information and articles to read about, and I feel so much more confident in what I’m going to do moving forward when my flock!

I’m so glad that I posted here as this thread became such an informative post not just for me but many others that might not have considered the differences in feed. I’ve learned there’s no right or wrong way about it, and it’s all preference of the flock owner. Thank you guys for sharing your insight and how YOU raise your flock! I’ve learned so much from all of you!
I am so glad you are happy with the information and the tools that the other posters have contributed to you Jackie. I really believe you will be forever happy following your gut and your own instincts and their advice where it applies. They give great advice and know so much! Take it and run with it my friend!

 

[Neggative]

I just feed them layer feed....

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What brand do you feed yours?

I use Purina Flock Raiser because I can get it consistently with fresh mill dates in my location for about $18/50# bag.

Purina actually own Nature Wise and makes the feed for Dumor.. in addition to many other brands I probably know nothing about. They are a multi conglomerate who I have zero brand loyalty to and if available might choose something made by Kalmbach instead.. that feed smelled SO good! But it is a regional feed I found on Amazon once and not available to me on a regular basis. Have you already checked out or seen the feed comparisons brought by @Kiki? If you don't see the one you're using, consider sending her the info.. The offerings I get with satisfactory turnover to keep mill dates fresh are very limited really. Back when I started my hunt and spent hours upon hours in feed store after feed store this wealth of information hadn't yet been so diligently brought together in one location..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/➡-feed-comparison-spreadsheet.1275920/#post-20524932

I wonder if she's got them set up for other countries than the US?

I avoid Purina dog food like Benefuls and other as I don't find them to be acceptable...

No matter the company name.. they all make cruddy cheaper products, that serve the purpose of some folks well enough, and I have been one of them. Now at this point in my life, I'm a label reader.. ingredients, nutritional analysis, etc. Even then... I'm buying what is a happy medium for my current budget, my animal needs, current location availability, etc. and not my dream perfection. While I don't buy ALL the hype about non gmo OR organic, I do find some validity in the cleanest most chemical free life possible, and figuring out what the natives knew.. recognizing that I'm not keeping a natural amount of birds in my space.. what some folks are calling self sustaining is really just self propagating and when crud hits the fan and feed isn't available (like for some during Covid), watch our flock sizes and types and consumption change.. you don't see fat fluffy birds in regions that are less developed and truly relying on their land a bit more. Not judging, just saying.

You can get layer feed in higher amounts of protein. It’s not one set amount. It’s higher ($$$) but it is available. I’ve seen it in 16, 18 and 20%.

I have seen them online up to 22% protein (shown in some studies to give the best hatch rates) and still 4%+ calcium.. the added calcium is what makes it "layer" feed. I have not YET seen layer feed above 16% available at any of the feed stores in MY location.

But you are correct.. "layer" is just a term indicating who it is meant for and not indicative of the actual nutritional analysis. If one wants to know they must read the labels.

I'm sure I've said it before but not all protein is created equal.

@Jackiebjackie once your getting eggs, will try and remember to report back whether you find any fishy taste.. thinking fish was an ingredient in your feed and that had been one drawback mentioned.. as a possibility.

 

[CuriousChicken]

I have a unique perspective that might help. I have a 10 year old rooster, he will be 11 this coming March. He was my first ever chicken, I assisted his hatching so he is my baby. I had a hen that we rescued, she lived with us for 5 years until she passed due to waterbelly and underlying health conditions. We now have a one year old hen who is doing very well and keeping my old boy company. I tell you all this for perspective.

My chickens live indoors, so they have grit and oyster shells for the hen on offer all the time. In the morning they get fresh greens, veggies and sometimes fruit. They also get organic grains, seeds, freezdried bugs. My rooster has been on this diet for 8 years, prior to that he was on a grower pellet while I researched chicken diets in the wild.

Right now he is a close to a wild chicken diet as a house bird is ever going to get. Recently I added all flock/grower crumble because hes old and needs the boost. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

 

[Newtopoulrty]

We decided to make our own feed for our flock after doing much research about this, and protien levels, omega levels all that. We offer grit and oyster shell in a separate container for them to choose. We get whole oats, whole wheat, cracked corn, flax seed and soybean meal mix it together, yes we have a ratio, but our flock seems to love this so much more than the store bought food, and there is much much less food waste.

 

[Folly's place]

Did you work with a poultry nutritionist, or one of the companies who produces the vitamin/ mineral supplements? How does your diet actually assay?
Mary

 

[Araucana Nest]

Such an informative thread. Thank you for asking and thank you @EggSighted4Life for the great information.

Having meandered through the chicken world for a long time, loving many of the hatchery breeds, I started making a switch to more breeder quality birds over the past couple of years. This year I've gone chicken crazy and have a lot invested in my flocks right now.

I'm one of those that have always fed layer and free- ranged and have never seen adverse effects in my flock- until recently I switched to a low-priced layer feed and had my very first egg bound hen. She died in my arms I've been reading labels and switching feeds and feeding three different feeds right now, not something I want to continue. Just called my local feed store and made my order for Purina Flock Raiser.

 

[ariri30]

I do. Not had any problems.

What about if you have ducks and drake? I’m feeding them flock raiser with oyster shells on the side

 

[Chicalina]

What about if you have ducks and drake? I’m feeding them flock raiser with oyster shells on the side

It has never caused any problems with my adult ducks, roosters or drakes. But then they also foraged for insects and slugs and ate the grass so maybe it formed a smaller proportion of their overall diet?

I don't keep ducks atm but when I did they lived in a mixed flock with the chickens so there was no way I could keep their food separate.