Lets talk about layer feed...

[Hyper_Chicken05]

If you want the healthiest rooster then I wouldn’t suggest layers feed. It’s kinda like feeding hens a 16% protein feed. It won’t be as good for him as non layers feed, And might shorten the lifespan and lessen health.

 

[Kris5902]

@Shadrach, Thanks! I only have access to the site on my cell phone right now, and couldn’t figure out how to link them. Very grateful for all the good info and support

 

[RoosterML]

Everything is perfect for me now, I just went out to the coop and told my two Roosters in a stern voice, " Don't you even think of eating layer feed" they both crowed and walked away from the feeder. I knew they would listen!!

 

[Kris5902]

Do you offer chicken training lessons? I’m working on “stop flying out of the brooder!” With my younglings. So far very little success!

 

[RoosterML]

Do you offer chicken training lessons? I’m working on “stop flying out of the brooder!” With my younglings. So far very little success!

That's an easy one, build the wall !!!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is a shame that this discussion continues to arise.
People here usually give advice based on experience and anecdotal evidence. That's fine - to a point.
Layers are females actively building egg shells. Those are the only birds that should be eating a feed high in calcium content. Namely, LAYER FEED. It is formulated for flocks where all birds are actively laying eggs.
Roosters are not layers, molters are not layers, chicks are not layers, pullets not yet at POL are not layers.
The doubters can deny it all they want.
It is true that some lines of some breeds can handle excessive calcium better than others but - the fact remains that calcium content in a diet in excess of 2.5% calcium will cause kidney damage in non laying birds. That would be roosters, molting hens or any birds taking a long break from laying eggs. Layer feeds are normally between 3.5 and 4.5% calcium.
It is also a scientific fact that kidney damage can't be reversed.
The kidneys "recycle" calcium and serve to maintain an appropriate calcium/phosphorus blood balance.
IMHO, the reason many don't believe it, is that birds affected by urolithiasis exhibit no symptoms. A chicken has 2 kidneys with 3 segments each. As long as there are still two functioning segments, hens will continue to lay and any affected birds show no ill effects until one of the last two segments fails and they will die within 24 hours.
It is also a fact that most people don't have a necropsy done when a bird dies of unknown causes.
If the OP's friend had a necropsy done on her rooster that showed calcium damage, I would believe the avian pathologist over someone that feeds layer feed to roosters yet says it has no effect.

Purina poultry nutritionist, Mikelle Roeder, Ph.D. says one shouldn't feed layer feed to roosters, molting hens or young birds and to switch to flock raiser if roosters are present.
https://www.purinamills.com/chicken...djust-nutrients-in-chicken-feed-as-birds-grow
When my last computer fried, I lost my more pertinent links showing the kidney damage from excess calcium intake in roosters and pullets/hens not actively laying but here are some others.
https://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=36
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/2337/urolithiasis-in-male-broiler-breeders/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3585534
http://www.livestocklibrary.com.au/handle/1234/19522
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03079458008418381

 

[RoosterML]

Now that I have added 2 Roosters to my flock and this week needed to buy more food I purchased a bag of grower/finisher (calcium under 1%) along with a bag of layer (calcium 3.5%). I will mix both bags together so that the calcium will average out to be in the area of 2.25%. Poulin Grain does not carry an all flock product so by mixing the 2 products I think I will have the best of both worlds. One thing I really like about the Poulin Grain layer feed is that they add marigold extract. Gives a really deep orange color to the yolks. So for those who do not have an all flock product in your feed brand of choice available this may be a way to achieve the same end result.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Now that I have added 2 Roosters to my flock and this week needed to buy more food I purchased a bag of grower/finisher (calcium under 1%) along with a bag of layer (calcium 3.5%). I will mix both bags together so that the calcium will average out to be in the area of 2.25%. Poulin Grain does not carry an all flock product so by mixing the 2 products I think I will have the best of both worlds. One thing I really like about the Poulin Grain layer feed is that they add marigold extract. Gives a really deep orange color to the yolks. So for those who do not have an all flock product in your feed brand of choice available this may be a way to achieve the same end result.

That's a very good approach and one that I have used from time to time.

 

[shelbylewis]

It is a shame that this discussion continues to arise.
People here usually give advice based on experience and anecdotal evidence. That's fine - to a point.
Layers are females actively building egg shells. Those are the only birds that should be eating a feed high in calcium content. Namely, LAYER FEED. It is formulated for flocks where all birds are actively laying eggs.
The doubters can deny it all they want.
It is true that some lines of some breeds can handle excessive calcium better than others but - the fact remains that calcium content in a diet in excess of 2.5% calcium will cause kidney damage in non laying birds. That would be roosters, molting hens or any birds taking a long break from laying eggs. Layer feeds are normally between 3.5 and 4.5% calcium.
It is also a scientific fact that kidney damage can't be reversed.
The kidneys "recycle" calcium and serve to maintain an appropriate calcium/phosphorus blood balance.
IMHO, the reason many don't believe it, is that birds affected by urolithiasis exhibit no symptoms. A chicken has 2 kidneys with 3 segments each. As long as there are still two functioning segments, hens will continue to lay and any affected birds show no ill effects until one of the last two segments fails and they will die within 24 hours.
It is also a fact that most people don't have a necropsy done when a bird dies of unknown causes.
If the OP's friend had a necropsy done on her rooster that showed calcium damage, I would believe the avian pathologist over someone that feeds layer feed to roosters yet says it has no effect.

Purina poultry nutritionist, Mikelle Roeder, Ph.D. says one shouldn't feed layer feed to roosters, molting hens or young birds and to switch to flock raiser if roosters are present.
https://www.purinamills.com/chicken...djust-nutrients-in-chicken-feed-as-birds-grow
When my last computer fried, I lost my more pertinent links showing the kidney damage from excess calcium intake in roosters and pullets/hens not actively laying but here are some others.
https://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=36
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/2337/urolithiasis-in-male-broiler-breeders/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3585534
http://www.livestocklibrary.com.au/handle/1234/19522
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03079458008418381

Thank you very much for your honest, informative, and serious reply. I understand it can be frustrating to see people ask the same question over and over but unfortunately when it comes to chickens most people that work at stores where you buy the feed are extremely uneducated and the information regarding this on the internet is totally one way or the other. I just want the best life for all of my birds because they are my pets. I will look into the links that you have supplied me and again I thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thank you very much for your honest, informative, and serious reply. I understand it can be frustrating to see people ask the same question over and over but unfortunately when it comes to chickens most people that work at stores where you buy the feed are extremely uneducated and the information regarding this on the internet is totally one way or the other. I just want the best life for all of my birds because they are my pets. I will look into the links that you have supplied me and again I thank you!

And thank you for asking the question.
As to your question about the best all-flock feed. That would be the one your local feed store carries. IMHO, there isn't a great deal of difference in the underlying nutritional content in any of them (i.e. amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fats, energy, etc.)
The main difference is quality of ingredients. They all have the basic research available to them. They will all still supply the nutritional balance chickens are known to need.