⠀ how long should u wait after taking hens off layer pellets to breeding

[wyoDreamer]

HOw do you "not feed roosters layer pellets" when they are all together in a flock? And they need to be together to breed.

 

[junebuggena]

Feed a grower, all flock, or flock raiser type feed. Supplement the hens calcium needs with crushed oyster shell. You don't have to feed layer feed to hens, they just need to have a source of calcium available to them.

 

[SLAP STICK487]

Thanks havnt really thought about that.._.._i try to multitask andwhen im in the pig pin or repairing a coop i can c them raiding my hen house the two on my avatar which is clearly outdated is getting busy with the girls while the other is gobling feed and vise versa.._..I just be too busy laughing

 

[PipelineGypsy]

Feed a grower, all flock, or flock raiser type feed. Supplement the hens calcium needs with crushed oyster shell. You don't have to feed layer feed to hens, they just need to have a source of calcium available to them.

I am glad I read this post as this is the first time I have heard this about too much calcium for roosters. I have always read to have a good source of calcium (such as oyster shell) available to the hens in addition to the layer feed... or did I just assume it was in addition? Is it your opinion that they need both layer feed and oyster shell or is the calcium in layer feed enough? I have always wondered... if they layer feed was a "complete food" why would I need to supplement calcium. Seems to me like a "complete food" should have enough of everything needed for a "layer" to lay good eggs. Also more to the point of the roosters eating layer feed... if I have an oyster shell out for the hens to have at will, will the roosters leave it alone or will they eat it too? I can't say I have ever seen either of my roosters eating any of it, but I my hens eat very little of it themselves.

 

[junebuggena]

Layer feed should be a complete feed with enough calcium to meet the needs of most layers. However, sometimes people feed their flocks too many treats and the birds don't eat enough of their feed, so extra calcium may be needed. And some hens just need more than others.
Oyster shell should be available at all times. Those birds that need it, will consume it. Those that don't, will leave it alone.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Layer feed should be a complete feed with enough calcium to meet the needs of most layers. However, sometimes people feed their flocks too many treats and the birds don't eat enough of their feed, so extra calcium may be needed. And some hens just need more than others.
Oyster shell should be available at all times. Those birds that need it, will consume it. Those that don't, will leave it alone.

Better to have and not need than to need and not have