Okay if hens eat layer feed....

[somissemilyy]

Okay so I know hens eat layer feed, what do you give roos to eat? I have always wondered that..

 

[Illia]

The same.


Feed is a choice matter. Honestly I prefer to give my hens produce and their free ranged pasture, but don't have enough produce, so commerical layer pellets it is. As for the boys, I give them a mix of layer pellets, sunflower seeds, and assorted grains.

Come summer and fall that will change.

 

[welasharon]

Illia,
Do you mind sharing what you intend to do. I am interested in feeding mine less comercialized feed as well.
sharon

 

[TajMahalChickens]

They can just eat what the hens eat. If they are separate from the rest, you can reduce feed costs by lowering the amount of protein in the feed, since they don't need the protein to lay eggs. You can lower protein by adding scratch grains, or switching to a cock maintenance ration (it is commercially bagged in some areas)

 

[Bi0s]

i feed my hens and roo same thing layer feed and corn and of course scraps

 

[WildflowerJLH]

I feed a "grower" formula, instead of a "layer" formula. This brand is the same as the layer, but without the calcium. I have oyster shell available on the side.

 

[Judy]

Roos everywhere eat layer because they are housed with the hens. The layer has extra calcium, not protein, for egg production. This is actually not so good for the roos and may cause some problems over the long term. If you keep roos separately, they would do better on a grower or flock raiser, which usually has more protein and less calcium.

I also feed the whole flock grower, with oyster shell on the side. I have some 7 week olds who could be harmed eating layer, and this way all get a little more protein. I think I am going to continue to do this when the chicks are mature.

 

[welasharon]

I feed grower with crushed egg shells for the hens, with free ranging as much as I can and scraps as I have them.
sharon

 

[perchie.girl]

Is grower less expensive than Lay mash? Just Curious.

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gota crik in my neck so am stuck inside

 

[gritsar]

I used to feed layer feed to all my adult birds, including my rooster. Then my hens put me in the broody business and I had to find a food that was safe for my chicks (raised in the flock) to eat too.

We don't have purina flockraiser available around here, but we do have a product called "Allway Kernels". It's a starter/grower/layer feed. Safe for all ages and other species of poultry. Non-medicated. I just offer oyster shell on the side to my laying hens.