Question-Why is laying mash bad for roosters?

[pikeechickee]

I just read that is was in another thread...why?

 

[CMV]

The extra calcium.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

The extra calcium.

I agree with CMV. I don't do anything special for my roosters, though. If I give layer pellets for treats, the roos get them too. I have asked for this to be moved to the feeding and watering section of the forum...so look there if you don't see it in its old place.

 

[Chris09]

High amounts of Calcium (Ca) in any non-laying poultry's diet can cause health problems like ureter, kidney impaction resulting in nephrosis and in some cases Avian Urolithiasis (Gout).
Layer feed is best fed to laying fowl, that is fowl that is laying eggs at the time you are feeding a layer type feed. Chicks, Roosters and even Hen that are not laying can inherit calcium toxicity from eating a high calcium diet.



Chris

 

[BaGAWK!!]

I was just going to start a thread with a related question when I came across this one. Can I ask it here? I don't mean to hijack..

But I'd like to find out, what do people advise to feed to an adult flock of Roos and laying hens instead of layer pellets? I have heard of people feeding game bird feed and supplementing with free choice oyster shell to replace the calcium that is lacking in the game bird feed. Thoughts ?

I have 9 roos and 40 hens.

 

[OnceAroundTheBlock]

I'd also like to ask....if laying mash is bad for roos then how do you keep them from eating it when you have a community hanging feeder in the run?

 

[AccentOnHakes]

I'd also like to ask....if laying mash is bad for roos then how do you keep them from eating it when you have a community hanging feeder in the run?

You don't feed laying mash. Rather, you use a similar feed such as gamebird, grower, or flock raiser. Other than lower protein, it's pretty much the same. For your hens' calcium needs, you offer free choice eggshells or oyster shell.

 

[mohillbilly]

my roosters have always eaten layer never had a problem with it in 40 years of feeding it

 

[Chris09]

I'd also like to ask....if laying mash is bad for roos then how do you keep them from eating it when you have a community hanging feeder in the run?

There are a number of feeds that you can a mixed flock of both Roosters and Hen, you can feed them chick starter, grower, breeder, and even a multi-flock type feed.

Chris

 

[Chris09]

my roosters have always eaten layer never had a problem with it in 40 years of feeding it

I don't mean anything by this but, How do you know that your bird never had a problem?
Did you open every bird up when they died to see the cause of death? Other than Avian Urolithiasis (Gout) you really aren't going to just look at a bird and say that isn't suffering from calcium toxicity.
You have to open a bird up and look for signs.