Layer feed for Roosters????

[suenrob]

My flock all dines together. I feed layer feed because I have pullets that I got to lay eggs. I was told that the rooster cannot eat this. Do you guys sepatate the roos at feeding time???? (I mix the layer feed with scratch grains)

 

[hsm5grls]

Everyone I have asked has told me that it is fine for the roosters to eat the layer feed. My roosters eat everything my hens eat and the are healthy and growing well.

 

[suenrob]

Thanks hms, I got scared when someone told me layer feed would kill my Roo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Buckguy20]

It is fine for roos to eat layer feed. My roosters still won'y lay though.

 

[okiechick57]

haha buckguy.............my buff orp roo likes to sit on eggs now

so layer feed must do something......... my roos have always eaten everything my hens do with no side affects!

 

[joanc]

My 2 boys are doing fine eating layer food. I thought I read somewhere here that the calcium in layer food also benefits the roosters bones?
Oh, my alpha roo (cockerel yet actually) will go sit in a nesting box once in a while.

 

[clay]

OK, so what do you feed to hens (layers), roos, and ducks? These guys were raised from chicks together, so I don't think seperating them would be too easy.

-Clay

 

[okiechick57]

clay.....my ducks and chickens all eat the same thing........crumbles........cracked corn.....black oil sunflower seeds.......and treats..........I let them choose what they want to eat.......

 

[bunch-a-chickens]

my roos have done fine, but my roos don't lay either. I've watched them try though

 

[Katy]

On another chicken forum that I belong to there was a discussion several months ago that layer feed fed long term isn't good for roosters. That too much calcium builds up in their systems since they aren't using it up by making egg shells. I'll have to go back and see if I can find it. I do know the symptoms matched to a large degree a rooster that I lost at like 5 years of age. Since then I feed mine Purina flock raiser and put out oyster shell for the hens to eat. Haven't had any issues with weak shells. I also pulverize egg shells and feed those back to them.