Lets talk about layer feed...

[Cindy in PA]

Most of the processed people food is not good for us... but people buy it

Not the same thing. All chicken feed is the same except for protein level & calcium. So then "all" chicken feed is processed & no good? I just think to say no one should ever use layer feed is a bit of a stretch.

 

[Molpet]

Not the same thing. All chicken feed is the same except for protein level & calcium. So then "all" chicken feed is processed & no good? I just think to say no one should ever use layer feed is a bit of a stretch.

By me there is a difference in other nutrients, grains, animal products and additives.

 

[aart]

I just think to say no one should ever use layer feed is a bit of a stretch.

It can be....unless you've got multi-aged and gendered flocks.

 

[Cindy in PA]

There are no grower, all flock or other non layer feeds here that have animal protein, so that is not an option. My layer feed does have fishmeal, go figure. As far as different nutrients between layer & non layer, the nutrients are the same, just different amounts based on stage of life. Just think "never feed layer" is a bit much. There are layer feeds with higher protein, but they are all vegetarian & not necessarily a better option.

 

[Molpet]

There are no grower, all flock or other non layer feeds here that have animal protein, so that is not an option. My layer feed does have fishmeal, go figure. As far as different nutrients between layer & non layer, the nutrients are the same, just different amounts based on stage of life. Just think "never feed layer" is a bit much. There are layer feeds with higher protein, but they are all vegetarian & not necessarily a better option.

Feed what is best in your area and for your flock
I have a mixed flock

 

[aart]

There are no grower, all flock or other non layer feeds here that have animal protein, so that is not an option.

Hardly any chicken feeds have animal protein......must be supplemented separately.

 

[NNYchick]

Not the same thing. All chicken feed is the same except for protein level & calcium. So then "all" chicken feed is processed & no good? I just think to say no one should ever use layer feed is a bit of a stretch.

I use to think this too, but GreenMountainEric addressed this previously in a this thread that 2 feeds can both have % crude protein but the ingredients used to get this protein level can be better from one to the other.

In reality, a crude protein figure means absolutely nothing. The real information that you need, is in the levels, and breakdown, of each individual amino acid. You also need to know if the characteristics of the mix, and ingredients used, provide poor, adequate, or exceptional uptake of those nutrients.

 

[Rosdez31]

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 so much. With this info I certainly won't risk it.

 

[igorsMistress]

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

Excellent post, thank you!

 

[shelbylewis]

Oh wait, I remember now, that's your neighbor's roo, Buff! I am a sucker for a pretty roo. <3

he is my best buddy! we truly enjoy each other’s company <3