It actually does, and it is an observational fact. Whoever told you that feeding layer feed to baby/young/male/nonlaying birds clearly didn't any experience or knowledge in the area.
Layer feed has too little protein for growing birds, resulting in stunted birds. (With nutrition deficiency, like you're seeing, if he's the redult of several generations eating this diet,  his issues may be a sign of things to come.)
Too much calcium, which builds up,  resulting in kidney damage, damage to other organs and early death.