protein requirements for full grown roosters?

[LAFreewayChickens]

can anyone tell me what the protein requirements are for full-grown roosters?

I am guessing they need less protein than layers or growing broilers.

I've got a pen with some extra roosters that aren't immediately headed to the chopping block, and I'm wondering if I can dilute their feed with some lower protein grains and save some on feed costs.

 

[FireTigeris]

What are the roosters for again?

You could try it and see if they lose condition or health...

 

[Kevin565]

The issue with layer feed is more the calcium content not the protein levels.

 

[Chris09]

If you are using the roosters for meat I wouldn't feed anything less than a 18% protein unless you want to feed them for a longer time period.

Chris

 

[centrarchid]

When of mature weight and feather I go as low as 14% crude protein. When turnning feathers over in molt then bump it up to 18% or so.

 

[LAFreewayChickens]

When of mature weight and feather I go as low as 14% crude protein. When turnning feathers over in molt then bump it up to 18% or so.

Thanks centrarchid, this is exactly what I was trying to find out, about mature roosters.

In response to other questions about these roosters, some are being kept for future breeding, but are not in with hens now. Others are waiting for new homes. Once we get rid of the latter group, we'll be less concerned about the feed costs of the few being kept for breeding.