Rooster issue

[SourRoses]

I’m a stem girl. Science matters.

currently I only have two choices. I have scoured sources and short of making my own feed I’m stuck. One is back ordered, (my favorite grower crumble) and the other is a layer feed.

Do you think i can stretch my current supply if I do a 2/1 ratio with the layer feed? 2 cups grower crumble 1 cup layer?

At risk of sounding corny, I have all my eggs in one basket, and I’m getting worried. I have about 40lbs left for 9 chickens (bag and a 1/2)

Ok, so an essential component of good science is to be aware of your own biases. You have a pressing need, so what you seem to want from us is confirmation that you can feed layer to a rooster (and pullets) and everything will be fine.
We're saying, it will not be fine. However, he won't keel over right away. Plenty of people feed layer to roosters and see them live for a while, years even. But one day, when they do die, their kidneys and other affected organs will be the reason why. Unless they get eaten by a predator first, or some other tragedy occurs, obfuscating the data.

Another choice you have might be to wear a mask and long dishwashing gloves when you go to scoop feed. An all flock or 20% chick grower should be easy to find if you don't have to make it safe for yourself to swallow.

I'd like to point out, that set feeding schedules of only twice a day are not enough for an animal that naturally forages throughout the daylight hours. Unless the chickens find a lot of goodies out free ranging (in a suitable environment), a "mealtime" minimum should be every 4 hrs. Free feeding is a lot easier.

 

[SourRoses]

I believe you've said you offer your chickens chick grit, for baby chicks. A couple of people have recommrnded regular poultry grit, which is coarser, for adult chickens. If you have offered your chickens that, I have not seen where you've said you've offered that. Once they're adults, they won't eat the baby grade grit. They need the adult grit. Also, it's really hard to tell if they're actually taking grit, as the level of grit in the dish goes down exceedingly slowly. If you are using adult, coarse grit, I would not assume they are not taking it. Keep it available. They'll take what they need.

Agreed!
Here's a picture I knew I had kept somewhere.

I'm in FL. We have natural sand everywhere. My chickens still do better with a variety of grit provided to them. Even the chicks seem to need the granite version, because although the brodies direct them to eat sand, they can still get bulgy crops until I put the grit out.

 

[The Good Grumble]

Ok, so an essential component of good science is to be aware of your own biases. You have a pressing need, so what you seem to want from us is confirmation that you can feed layer to a rooster (and pullets) and everything will be fine.
We're saying, it will not be fine. However, he won't keel over right away. Plenty of people feed layer to roosters and see them live for a while, years even. But one day, when they do die, their kidneys and other affected organs will be the reason why. Unless they get eaten by a predator first, or some other tragedy occurs, obfuscating the data.

Another choice you have might be to wear a mask and long dishwashing gloves when you go to scoop feed. An all flock or 20% chick grower should be easy to find if you don't have to make it safe for yourself to swallow.

I'd like to point out, that set feeding schedules of only twice a day are not enough for an animal that naturally forages throughout the daylight hours. Unless the chickens find a lot of goodies out free ranging (in a suitable environment), a "mealtime" minimum should be every 4 hrs. Free feeding is a lot easier.

Exactly! And I responded to the one person that actually addressed my immediate need instead of tangents. I didn’t need grit advice, i don’t need feeding advice. My flock is very healthy, and a couple probably need to cut back on their food. I don’t have biases, not sure why you said that. However, I am used to research, all through college and my career I do a lot of it, and have access to a lot of scientific databases.

I cannot use an all flock with wheat, with my celiacs I also have gluten ataxia. Which affects my brain stem and is a neurological disorder. If you’re interested here’s the information. https://nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/gluten-ataxia/

It’s not worth the risk with how sick I get. I would give anything to be normal. But I’m not. And I love my chickens, they make me happy every day of my life and continue to be my favorite part of my day. I’ve been around them my entire life. And am on my second flock. the issue is that the feed I’ve always used I cannot use because I have a rooster, and the only one I found that I’ve been feeding for the past 6 months is on back order, but everyone decided to step up on soapboxes.

Honest question here, aren’t any of you tired of having “products” stuffed down your throat? Chicken keeping has always been very easy on the budget, but now I have to have chick grit, grown up grit, specialty supplements, the best meal worms or soldier flies, first Saturday lime, or im a bad neglectful owner.

 

[The Good Grumble]

Agreed!
Here's a picture I knew I had kept somewhere.


View attachment 3954358


I'm in FL. We have natural sand everywhere. My chickens still do better with a variety of grit provided to them. Even the chicks seem to need the granite version, because although the brodies direct them to eat sand, they can still get bulgy crops until I put the grit out.

Good gosh y,all are brutal. I’m not here for a crop issue,

Anyway here is my sand and my grit, the chickens are fine! lol

 

[The Good Grumble]

Good gosh y,all are brutal. I’m not here for a crop issue,

Anyway here is my sand and my grit, the chickens are fine! lol

Agreed!
Here's a picture I knew I had kept somewhere.


View attachment 3954358


I'm in FL. We have natural sand everywhere. My chickens still do better with a variety of grit provided to them. Even the chicks seem to need the granite version, because although the brodies direct them to eat sand, they can still get bulgy crops until I put the grit out.

FYI the shells of the layers are solid and they have beautiful dark yellow yolks.

 

[SourRoses]

everyone decided to step up on soapboxes.

We gave you our honest advice based on our experience with chicken keeping.
Many posters asking questions would appreciate having possible serious issues pointed out to them.
What you decide to do is your choice.

 

[The Good Grumble]

We gave you our honest advice based on our experience with chicken keeping.
Many posters asking questions would appreciate having possible serious issues pointed out to them.
What you decide to do is your choice.

I’m happy to listen to experience, and that is exactly what helped me figure out where to head with research, enormously beneficial and I am appreciative. However I *only* needed help with food.to which only one person replied.

It was fun to look into the other issues. But I’m pretty sure I don’t need to address anything (based on published studies that I’ve posted) except what to do if I run out of food.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Good gosh y,all are brutal. I’m not here for a crop issue,

I was pointing out sand could potentially cause an issue with your birds, not that you had one going on.

 

[The Good Grumble]

I was pointing out sand could potentially cause an issue with your birds, not that you had one going on.

Good enough! I just also checked my run sand, which is pretty coarse as to my coop sand. (I used tube sand) I appreciated your information. If I had a finer sand I would be in panic mode! Thank you.

 

[Perris]

add oyster shells for my layers, which they always eat happily.

But so does my dumb dumb rooster. It’s like a super treat for him and he will pig out on it.

FWIW, I have noticed one of my roos chomping down on it a lot recently (the other roos take a nibble now and then) and guessed he thinks he needs it to build bone / spurs / whatever. He's fit as a fiddle and filling out nicely (turned 1 recently), and I have confidence in my feed, so I do not question his instincts.

How old is your roo and how long has this being going on?