Separate food for Rooster?

[Snohomish]

Turns out one of our 6 chickens is a rooster. I’ve read too much calcium is bad for chickens. Do I need to try and feed him something other than the layer feed we’re due to start feeding shortly?

 

[The Happster]

@GC-Raptor is good at this type of thing.

 

[Folly's place]

Don't bother with layer feed at all, rather feed an all-flock feed, or a unmedicated chick starter, with oyster shell in a separate container. It will be good for everyone, either sex, any age, and actively laying eggs or not.
Mary

 

[Naser]

I tried both layer pellets and chick starter with oyster shell, it doesn't seem to make any difference.

 

[The Happster]

I've always used layers feed, up until now.
But I've heard multiple times it's not good for the cockerels.
Oldhenlikesdogs noted it shortens the cockerels lives. I absolutely agree.
My cockerels have never lived long on layers, and I never knew why.
I would say get all flock, if you can, and offer oyster.
While they're broody, not laying, ect. it means they can take the calcium when they need it, and not when they don't.
It makes the most sense.
I have non laying hens, cockerels, and very broody prone hens.
It is definitely my preferred arrangement.

 

[Folly's place]

I can't recall any of our roosters dying of something other than a predator attack, or ONCE in surgery for bad frozen toes. Some move on to other homes, so lost as far as my information is concerned. For breeding groups, it's not possible for me to use the same roosters year after year over his offspring.
They certainly aren't going to have the curse of so many hens, reproductive problems!
Mary

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

Turns out one of our 6 chickens is a rooster. I’ve read too much calcium is bad for chickens. Do I need to try and feed him something other than the layer feed we’re due to start feeding shortly?

I heard chickens pick out the oystster shells if thats what your talking about. They only eat what they need. My rooster does fine with layer.

 

[The Happster]

In a layer feed, they eat the entire pellet, and can't pick it out.
They are smart enough not to go crazy on the OS, if it's in a separate dish.
But they can't do much about pellets.
I hope I never have to feed my boys layers again.

 

[Snohomish]

We had to buy a bag of layer when covid was raging. We couldn’t find anything else to feed them. We’ve since put them back on Payback hatch to hen.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

I feed grower crumbles with oyster shell free choice. I have several roosters and some pullets that arent laying yet.