Rooster eating Lay mash

[Mojave78]

Hi Everyone,

Quick question is it okay for my rooster to eat the hens lay mash?

 

[nchls school]

Yes, The rooster will be fine eating laying mash. Thee extra nutrients will not hurt him.

 

[Mojave78]

Thanks for the response, what other food is good for my flock?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yes, The rooster will be fine eating laying mash. Thee extra nutrients will not hurt him.

This is actually incorrect and potentially harmful information - the fact is that the extra nutrients in layer ration *are* harmful to any bird who is not actively laying (not only male birds, but females too young, too old, molting, etc). Specifically, the excess calcium in the diet results in renal damage - this is because they are not actively expelling the excess calcium in the form of egg shells, and the calcium is stored in the body where it builds up and causes damage. Layer feed contains 4 times the calcium of grower, starter, etc. In addition to renal damage there can be calcification of soft tissue and organs. For young birds excess calcium can have a retarding effect on their growth and development.
Many folks will report that their roosters eat layer ration "all the time" and they "never see a problem" - this is because the damage is all internal. Most roosters on a diet of layer ration will live significantly shorter lives than they would have on a proper diet, but live a few years so when they die it is just chalked up to "chickens die" - it is only if a necropsy is done that the damage becomes apparent.
For a mixed flock, it is more appropriate to feed a grower ration that does not exceed the needs of any flock member and then provide calcium needed by actively laying birds separately by simply providing oyster shell.

 

[Mojave78]

So this would require me to separate the rooster for a period of time to allow the hens to eat raw oyster shell?

 

[junebuggena]

No. You leave the oyster shell out and available all day long. Those that need it, will eat it; those that don't, won't eat it.

 

[Mojave78]

So do I continue to buy grow mash and just add another bowl of oyster shell?

 

[nchls school]

This is actually incorrect and potentially harmful information - the fact is that the extra nutrients in layer ration *are* harmful to any bird who is not actively laying (not only male birds, but females too young, too old, molting, etc).  Specifically, the excess calcium in the diet results in renal damage - this is because they are not actively expelling the excess calcium in the form of egg shells, and the calcium is stored in the body where it builds up and causes damage.  Layer feed contains 4 times the calcium of grower, starter, etc.  In addition to renal damage there can be calcification of soft tissue and organs.  For young birds excess calcium can have a retarding effect on their growth and development.
Many folks will report that their roosters eat layer ration "all the time" and they "never see a problem" - this is because the damage is all internal.  Most roosters on a diet of layer ration will live significantly shorter lives than they would have on a proper diet, but live a few years so when they die it is just chalked up to "chickens die" - it is only if a necropsy is done that the damage becomes apparent.
For a mixed flock, it is more appropriate to feed a grower ration that does not exceed the needs of any flock member and then provide calcium needed by actively laying birds separately by simply providing oyster shell.

Right you are. I need to give my replies more thought. I'd think it would be an even stronger factor in flocks that are not free range and the mash is their only source of food.

 

[junebuggena]

So do I continue to buy grow mash and just add another bowl of oyster shell?

Yes. Oyster shell should always be offered in a separate dish. That way, nobody accidentaly ingests any. Only those that need the calcium will chose to eat it.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

No. You leave the oyster shell out and available all day long. Those that need it, will eat it; those that don't, won't eat it.

This - I have a plastic dish that has two compartments (it's meant for mineral feeding for small livestock) - I keep oyster shell in one side and grit in the other. The container is mounted on the wall near my hanging feeder.