Is it safe to give roosters layer feed?

[OkieChickenGal]

If I feed my flock layer feed and have roosters, is it safe to give the roosters layer feed as well? I heard it can cut down their lifespan?

 

[cavemanrich]

Layer feed contains about 4% calcium. That is good feed for laying chickens. Non laying chickens and roosters are much better off getting less calcium, like 2%. The extra (processed) calcium does harm their kidneys and liver.
I feed my flock of layers and non layers Alflock which contains 2% calcium. I also provide extra calcium from Cracked Oyster Shells free-choice. Chickens will on Overdose on these. They consume these as they fit their need.
If your rooster does consume some layer feed, that does not mean that harm is coming quickly. It does have the longer use term affect.
Many peeps here do opt for 2% calcium feed and supplement wit COS.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Timothy Menezes]

If I feed my flock layer feed and have roosters, is it safe to give the roosters layer feed as well? I heard it can cut down their lifespan?

That's a loaded question, and you can can get very strong opinions about it both ways. So far I've never lost a rooster to anything calcium or diet related. Me butchering to keep the bloodlines from getting to close, and the occasional predator account for 100% of rooster fatalities around here lol.

However, because I don't totally dismiss the idea either, I have switched over to using 2 separate feeders at the same time. I put layer in one, and a grower, meatbird (broiler), flock raiser, etc, in the other. With calcium on the side, they got all their options and can work it out themselves.

Honestly if your birds are free rangers like mine then its not gonna matter. My rooster almost never eats anything in the run. The only things I ever see him eating are bugs, grubs, grasses, weeds, etc. He will sometimes sample the leftovers I toss them, but only after he has called all the hens over first.

 

[OkieChickenGal]

Okay! l don't want to hurt my roosters so I'll look into Flock Raiser.. Thank you all for your replies!