Rooster Care Tips ( Some that I know)

[BirdsBeesTrees]

For about 5 to 7 years I think we fed all my birds layer feed and scratch until a few months ago I switched to all flock and then oyster shells in the last few weeks. A year ago I was not aware that layer feed was bad for roosters and drakes but now that we switched everyone seems healthier and happier (and I feel better now that they feel better) especially my 8 year old pekin duck "Angel" who has a hard time walking she has been doing a lot better since I switched them to all flock they still get some scratch but that's cause we need to finish a bag of it off.
I have one rooster currently and he is 2 years old, we have had him a little over a year now and we have two cayuga drakes one of them is about 9 years old his name is Chiharu and he is one of our first ducks we ever got, his son Haru is about three years old now. My chickens and ducks free range all day every day and then get locked up after sundown so they get other stuff besides just their feed.

Interestingly, we had our longest living rooster live to be 15 years old. He ate Layer feed and corn his whole life, before I found out it was wrong. lol, sometimes I wonder about some advice....

 

[Tonyroo]

My rooster seems to eat very little treat if any, that includes live mealworms. He's always passing it to a random hen near him. I get a little upset cause I feel he gives and gives and never gets a break for himself. So he just seems to eat only his feed. But that's just my impression of him. I'm just so amazed by him everyday.

 

[Tonyroo]

Interestingly, we had our longest living rooster live to be 15 years old. He ate Layer feed and corn his whole life, before I found out it was wrong. lol, sometimes I wonder about some advice....

Helps to get a concensus about an answer when your in doubt to make one.

 

[Anime2lover]

Hey, so I have two roosters so those of you that are having problems or are looking for good food that all of your poultry can eat, you have come to the right place.

It is best you feed your roosters ( and all other poultry if you have males) All flock. Layer feed can give roosters kidney problems. Every ten hens, you should have one rooster ( more or less). If you go on trips ( this goes for hens and roosters) try to find a nippled water thing. You should have a small bowl with Oyster shell or grit (crushed). Chickens and maybe other poultry ( I do not know because I only have Chickens and Guinea fowl) love to peck at scratch. The scratch my chickens eat has corn, and seeds. They love it. I will give them Flock Party Mealworms In their food so that they have treats every day.
I hope this has helped you.
Ask questions if you have any.

For roosters, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the condition of their spurs. A spur that isn't kept filed can slice up the hens. There have also been cases of spurs growing to long and embedding I to the leg, wich is another reason they should be managed.

 

[AngelinaThePekin8]

Interestingly, we had our longest living rooster live to be 15 years old. He ate Layer feed and corn his whole life, before I found out it was wrong. lol, sometimes I wonder about some advice....

Raptor a Rhode Island red rooster that I had lived to be like eight he died last year I don't know what caused his death though, I am glad we had the young roo before he passed I don't know how the hens would be without a rooster as their has always been one.

 

[AngelinaThePekin8]

For roosters, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the condition of their spurs. A spur that isn't kept filed can slice up the hens. There have also been cases of spurs growing to long and embedding I to the leg, wich is another reason they should be managed.

My old roosters had like two inch long spurs they never caused harm to the hens though.
Raptor lived longer then the other two first and only roosters we had Topaz is the new guy he is getting his spurs in he is also called the BBQ chicken.
I have a 8 or 9 year old barred rock hen "Darth vader" who has spurs and I have to make sure they don't go into her legs caused the way they are growing.

 

[Anime2lover]

My old roosters had like two inch long spurs they never caused harm to the hens though.
Raptor lived longer then the other two first and only roosters we had Topaz is the new guy he is getting his spurs in he is also called the BBQ chicken.
I have a 8 or 9 year old barred rock hen "Darth vader" who has spurs and I have to make sure they don't go into her legs caused the way they are growing.

I was meaning sharpness. My roo has spurs that are about an inch. Their short, but sharp and are already causing feather damage.

 

[kcan2]

I personally use meatbird feed on my flock. It helps a lot when there molting also. Higher protein keeps there feathers in prime condition.

Two quick questions:
•Can you feed meat bird or game bird feed in the long term
•Will the packaging specifically say meat or game bird on the front?

I have two birds molting right now and they could use a boost!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Two quick questions:
•Can you feed meat bird or game bird feed in the long term
•Will the packaging specifically say meat or game bird on the front?

I have two birds molting right now and they could use a boost!

Tonyroo can chime in too, I don't want to butt in. I feed all my birds gamebird grower all the time, so yes it can be their staple feed.
I get mine from a feed store and it's called gamebird grower. It can have lots of names.

 

[Tonyroo]

Two quick questions:
•Can you feed meat bird or game bird feed in the long term
•Will the packaging specifically say meat or game bird on the front?

I have two birds molting right now and they could use a boost!

I get Nutrena meatbird feed and yes both package label it.