Is it okay for my cockerel to eat layer feed short term? (up to 8 weeks?)

[FattySmough]

Hello.

I was wondering if it's okay for my cockerel to eat layer feed short term, probably for about 6-8 weeks. The reason is that I have two bags of layer feed that I haven't used after getting some all flock feed, but I really don't want the two bags of layer feed to go to waste. Plus I have pullets that will lay soon so I want to be sure they have plenty of calcium. I've heard that calcium can be harmful to cockerels and roosters long term. Will eating the layer feed for 6-8 weeks cause any ill effects?

 

[Mrs. K]

No, I don't think it will, a lot of roosters have eaten it their whole lives and lived. If you want your birds to live til 6-8 years, well maybe not, but a few weeks is not going to make or break a rooster. If you are really worried, mix it with the flock raiser so that each day they get half flock raiser, half layer feed. Put some oyster shell on the side, if you want.

In my experience, pullets don't need more calcium than other birds. People do add it for egg shells, but you are still going to get some glitches.

Mrs K

 

[FattySmough]

No, I don't think it will, a lot of roosters have eaten it their whole lives and lived. If you want your birds to live til 6-8 years, well maybe not, but a few weeks is not going to make or break a rooster. If you are really worried, mix it with the flock raiser so that each day they get half flock raiser, half layer feed. Put some oyster shell on the side, if you want.

In my experience, pullets don't need more calcium than other birds. People do add it for egg shells, but you are still going to get some glitches.

Mrs K

I see! That's the info I was looking for. I want to use the layer feed as quickly as possible so I'll probably just use only the layer feed. Glad to know it won't have any lasting affects on my little dude though. Thanks!