Rooster feed

[Pdelaforce]

we purchased 13 pullet's with no intention of having a roo, but then a sweet silkie needed rehoming and I couldn't say no...my question is the pullets are on starter/grower feed what should I feed him? He will be free range most of the time however

 

[chickenlittle21]

Feed him layers feed if you want to feed him the same food as the pullets when they start laying or flock raiser if you want to feed him a separate food for roosters.

 

[Daisy the Silkie]

For my five roosters (and 34 hens) I feed them Layer feed and i keep the chicks separate. I feed my 14 chicks chick starter feed. DON'T give the chicks the layer feed!! It will make them sick because they can't digest it and it will cause health issues.

 

[Pdelaforce]

Feed him layers feed if you want to feed him the same food as the pullets when they start laying or flock raiser if you want to feed him a separate food for roosters.

OK thanks that was what I was thinking but wanted to get others opinions to kind of be sure

 

[Pdelaforce]

For my five roosters (and 34 hens) I feed them Layer feed and i keep the chicks separate. I feed my 14 chicks chick starter feed. DON'T give the chicks the layer feed!! It will make them sick because they can't digest it and it will cause health issues.

Good to know thanks bunches

 

[CindyinSD]

You can feed him the same as the chicks. It won't hurt him. It's just a higher level of protein. You shouldn't allow him access to layer feed, though. Only layers should eat layer feed, and that extends to your females who may not be laying. The extra calcium in layer feed can and does harm nonlayers... I believe it causes kidney damage, but I may not be remembering correctly. Over time it can kill them.

The easy solution to this is to feed an "all flock" feed and offer calcium (usually crushed oyster shells) on the side. Only the laying females will eat the oyster shells so long as the flock also has access to grit. You can feed chicks all-flock after they're two weeks old.

 

[DobieLover]

You can feed him the same as the chicks. It won't hurt him. It's just a higher level of protein. You shouldn't allow him access to layer feed, though. Only layers should eat layer feed, and that extends to your females who may not be laying. The extra calcium in layer feed can and does harm nonlayers... I believe it causes kidney damage, but I may not be remembering correctly. Over time it can kill them.

The easy solution to this is to feed an "all flock" feed and offer calcium (usually crushed oyster shells) on the side. Only the laying females will eat the oyster shells so long as the flock also has access to grit. You can feed chicks all-flock after they're two weeks old.

This.
Feeding roosters layer feed will shorten their lives.
Either feed All Flock, Flock Raiser (my personal choice) or keep them on chick starter for life. Offer multiple containers of oyster shell at 16 weeks for the pullets.
Hens take a break during winter to molt.
Roosters and cockerels never need the additional calcium nor do chicks and pre POL pullets.
Layer feed also only offers minimal protein.
A good complete feed should have 18-20% protein.

 

[Daisy the Silkie]

This.
Feeding roosters layer feed will shorten their lives.
Either feed All Flock, Flock Raiser (my personal choice) or keep them on chick starter for life. Offer multiple containers of oyster shell at 16 weeks for the pullets.
Hens take a break during winter to molt.
Roosters and cockerels never need the additional calcium nor do chicks and pre POL pullets.
Layer feed also only offers minimal protein.
A good complete feed should have 18-20% protein.

Thanks for the info! I will give the new feed a try. I have always fed the roosters the layer feed...

 

[chrissynemetz]

As @CindyinSD and @DobieLover have said, you can feed him the same starter grower feed you're giving the pullets. Or switch them to an all flock or flock raiser feed.