is it OK for Roosters to Eat layer Crumble?

[Mogli]

i just got Home from the Feed Mill asked them a Few ?s about wat to Feed Roosters & both people behind the counter sayd i can feed my Rooster layer Crumble the same tht i feed my Hens they sayd it wont hurt Him is this True? the 1 lady behind the counter sayd her Rooster & hens eat layer Crumble

so is it Fine if he Eats layer crumble?

 

[Nuggetirl]

It's not good for them. The extra calcium is very hard on their kidneys. If you have a rooster, I would feed everyone a finishing feed and have oyster shells on the side for the hens.

edit: Also not good if you have any younger chicks. Everyone can eat grower crumbles if that is the case, with the same oyster shell (or egg shells) on the side for calcium.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

My roosters eat layer without harm.

 

[Nuggetirl]

I don't want to sound rude, but it isn't without harm. I doubt they are in pain, but they WILL die sooner than they have to because of the strain it puts on their system.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

Think about all the things that we humans consume that are "bad" for us, such as too much salt, too much sugar, too much fat! None of those things are going to make us fall over and die after eating them and they are also not going to make us sick right after eating them.

But over time the consumption of too much of this bad stuff will shorten your life due to the the effects they'll have on your body.

Its the same with Roos and calcium, there will be no immediate effect but over time it will shorten his life. I got my Rooster free off craigslist and I've been getting free Layer feed, guess what mine eats?

 

[ChickenLegs13]

I'm not being rude either but you say WILL as if it were a fact. Untill you provide a link to a study showing us that it is indeed a proven fact that layer feed causes premature death in roosters, your opinion is no more correct or valid than mine.

 

[Nuggetirl]

I'm not being rude either but you say WILL as if it were a fact. Untill you provide a link to a study showing us that it is indeed a proven fact that layer feed causes premature death in roosters, your opinion is no more correct or valid than mine.

I took that as a challenge because you're right, I'd read multiple places that the excess calcium was bad, but no studies. The first link is a study in broilers. The second isn't really a 'study' but what I would consider a trusted source.

http://www.pjbs.org/ijps/fin1947.pdf


http://www.agbiosecurity.ca

 

[ChickenLegs13]

Yep, that link indicates it could be a small proiblem.

 

[Chris14]

• I agree with Nuggetirl. Roosters should not be fed any feed intended for feeding laying fowl.

• ChickenLegs13, How do you know that your roosters are eating a layer type feed without harm?

Calcium Toxicity is called a silent killer for good reason, it being there are no real signs of the Toxicity until further exam after death.

• Any good feed mfg. will state that there feed is intended for laying fowl right on either the bag or tag.

Example -
Quote: Buckeye Nutrition Quote: Blue Seal
Layer feed is intended for use on laying fowl, not chicks, not growing stock, not roosters and not non-laying hens. Hens that are laying expel extra calcium into there eggs, non laying fowl have no way to expel the extra calcium intake.

• ChickenLegs13 there are some good studies on this subject you may want to read up on them...

Chris


"I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares." –
George Washington

 

[Sugarskullz]

Can someone please give a good and trustworthy brand for them to eat? I have two laying hens and one rooster all different breeds but all will be one year old in May.