Is layer feed really that bad for rooster?

[Shamo Hybrid]

I have a pair of chicken (Hen + Rooster) and was wondering if I can just get a bag of layer feed instead of buying regular feed and then having to add oyster shells on the side for the hen? I mean, even if I go with regular feed and put oyster shells on the side, I assume the rooster is just gonna eat the shells anyway, so mind as well just get the layer feed...... you think it will work fine?

 

[cmom]

Some people won't feed it to theirs but my boys get whatever the girls get which includes layer feed. I show my birds at poultry shows and they place well.

 

[cmom]

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

What beauties! What breed are they?

 

[lazy gardener]

My roos do not get special feed. If my flock is on layer, that is what the roos get. No issues noted, and the roos live a long healthy life. My chicks (and whole flock) stay on starter UNTIL they reach chicken puberty. Any time after that date, I convert the whole flock back to layer.

The bigger issue for you, IMO... Assuming that you only have 2 birds, a bag of feed is going to last at least 45 days. While the feed store employees will tell you that feed is good for up to 6 months, the fact of the matter is: nutrients in your feed immediately start to oxidize after it is milled. The feed looses nutrition. A well published animal feed nutritionist states that feed is at it's best if used within 6 weeks of milling. Given that information, I suggest that you either: freeze half of your feed in an air tight system, and allow that portion to come to room temp before opening it, or find a friend to split a bag of feed with.

 

[lazy gardener]

Is there text to go with those photos of stunning roos?

 

[Mosey2003]

The common teaching is that excess calcium is hard on the kidneys of any bird that is not using it to form eggs. Will it kill off every male within a given time period? Obviously not. Personally, I just don't feed layer feed period. It's much easier to just buy the same feed for everyone and to fill up an oyster container occasionally, for me.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

The common teaching is that excess calcium is hard on the kidneys of any bird that is not using it to form eggs. Will it kill off every male within a given time period? Obviously not. Personally, I just don't feed layer feed period. It's much easier to just buy the same feed for everyone and to fill up an oyster container occasionally, for me.

If I go with a regular feed and put oyster shells on the side for my hen, will my rooster still consume the oyster shells though? Or do roosters naturally knows how to regulate their calcium intake and avoid it since they are getting enough from the regular feed already? That's the dilemma that I have, if the rooster is still going to eat the shells regardless, then I mind as well just get the layer feed..... it'll save me a bit of money from having to buy oyster shells.

 

[cmom]

What beauties! What breed are they?

They are pure Rhode Island Reds. I got my start with them several years ago from a quad I purchased from a master breeder. I was looking for some good show quality stock. I had some birds that I had gotten a few years earlier from another breeder but they weren't quite as nice. I saw some birds at a show that I fell in love with and sought out the owner. We made an arrangement for me to get a quad from him at the next show. I absolutely love them.

 

[FishMtFarm]

I don’t feed layer feed at all. Protein levels aren’t enough for a hen. I feed a 22% meatbird crumble and keep oyster shells on the side. They also get brewers yeast and kelp.