Rooster food

[jonezjollyfarm]

What exactly should you feed your rooster? He can eat the layer feed too right? And what's the best kind of food to feed your flock? Brand and type?

 

[junebuggena]

He can eat layer feed, but he shouldn't. The high calcium content in layer feed needed to produce good egg shells will damage a rooster's kidneys and can lead to his death in a year or two. Flocks with a rooster or birds that are not actively laying should be fed a flock raiser or grower feed with crushed oyster shell offered separately.

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

So I went to our local feed store to get the regular food and the owner told me he has raised chickens his whole life and always feed his rooster the layer feed and never had an issue. He said his rosters tend to out live the hens. Now I'm really confused.

 

[enola]

People have fed roosters layer feed for years. In my case, I fed layer feed to my roosters for decades. I have never had a rooster get gout or die of kidney failure.

Only recently have I changed to a feed that is designed for the entire flock. And the only reason I changed was because I was looking for a higher level of protein.

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

What kind do you feed them?

 

[enola]

I think it is called Flock Raiser. It is at Tractor Supply in a red bag.

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

I might have to order some of that. The closest tractor supply to me is like 50 minutes away. Too far for chicken food run lol