Roosters and layer ration

[noisegeyser]

The people I buy chicken food from aren't going to have any mixed flock food in until Friday, all I have is layer crumble. Will any harm come to my rooster if he has to eat it for a couple days? I know the higher calcium content is hard on their kidneys . I am going to give them scrambled eggs so he eats as little of it as possible.

 

[sourland]

On a short term basis I doubt there will be any harmful effects.

 

[Gallinarium]

You only get problems if the rooster eats layer for at least two months, and even then you might not. The bigger concern is the sudden feed change.

 

[noisegeyser]

It looks pretty much identical to the mixed flock crumble they usually eat, they have no hesitance. Out of curiosity, how do you get the two month figure? I know there are people who give their roosters layer ration for years along with their hens, and they outwardly seem fine but die senseless early deaths.

 

[Sonya9]

They didn't have game bird feed either?

 

[noisegeyser]

They didn't have game bird feed either?

Nothing but layer crumble and pellets. Very frustrating, since last week they specifically told me they would have the mixed flock on the 22nd. I wasn't expecting to run out of it.

 

[Sonya9]

Nothing but layer crumble and pellets. Very frustrating, since last week they specifically told me they would have the mixed flock on the 22nd. I wasn't expecting to run out of it.

You can also give him lots of scratch. How do you keep him out of their food normally? Is he in a separate pen? I feed all of mine game bird feed so the chicks/roosters/older hens etc...can all eat the same food.

 

[noisegeyser]

You can also give him lots of scratch. How do you keep him out of their food normally? Is he in a separate pen? I feed all of mine game bird feed so the chicks/roosters/older hens etc...can all eat the same food.

Normally I give them the mixed flock crumble with much lower calcium content, and oyster shell separately for my hen. He usually stays out of it. I'll definitely consider game bird feed as an option.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The people I buy chicken food from aren't going to have any mixed flock food in until Friday, all I have is layer crumble. Will any harm come to my rooster if he has to eat it for a couple days? I know the higher calcium content is hard on their kidneys . I am going to give them scrambled eggs so he eats as little of it as possible.

Hi there!

A couple of days will do NO harm.. period, but good for you for being on the look out.. and caring enough to feed your boy correctly WHEN possible!

It's true that roosters and other birds not in lay should NOT be fed greater than 3% calcium LONG term.. as it *COULD* (doesn't mean will) cause issues including gout, kidney failure, and even sudden death.. MOST likely in those genetically predisposed somehow.. and also not pasture raised with access to other feed stuff.

Scrambled eggs are a nice TREAT or boost once in a while. Their energy comes from 34% protein and 64% FAT!.. Half the protein is found inside the yolks as well a good amount of the vital nutrients. Feeding an excess (long term) *could* cause a whole host of other issues!


Now with regards to some of the things I've seen mentioned..

Giving lot's of scratch.. isn't going to benefit any bird really.. it may reduce calcium content but it's also reducing protein, amino acids, vitamins, mineral basically ALL nutrition.. you don't feed. Giving excess low nutrient treats.. could cause fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome and sudden death.. again MOST likely in birds genetically predisposed somehow.

I would choose a non-medicated starter feed, or a grower if available. I too use Flock Raiser with OS on the side for active layers. All chicken feeds (starter, broiler, flock raiser, all flock, layer, grower, finisher, etc) should be fine.. the MAIN difference in any of they is calcium content, and protein/amino acid content.

I have used game bird (starter) feeds as they are often higher in amino acids.. they often have more protein than chickens truly need and the excess protein that doesn't get used is processed through the kidneys and excreted as extra smelly expensive waste. More than that since I breed and hatch my eggs,
https://www.researchgate.net/public...he_Embryo_and_Time_of_Death_During_Incubation

Their are different game bird rations.. starter, layer, maintenance.. I haven't gotten a chance to look at their formulations yet. Even Walmart sells chicken feed. Adding your general location to your profile can help folks make their best suggestions possible at a glance. I got feed feed delivered free of charge after spending $49 from TSC, maybe start looking at alternate suppliers.

I saw a gorgeous 8 year old rooster (here on BYC) who was never fed anything but organic layer and not free ranged. Not all who are fed layer are dying early because of it.. Genetics matter.. maybe first and foremost.. An unknown wild card for most folks. Without getting a necropsy there is no way of knowing the cause of death, folks assume what they want.. often heart attack, which I believe is inaccurate. And folks fear monger calcium too.

If you have to go with layer.. just get the next bag as soon as you can and mix them to level out nutrients.