What breed

[Hybridchucks]

They're like egg laying machines

 

[Star and eclipsa]

She is ten weeks. That means its only like 7 or 8 weeks! Yay!

 

[Star and eclipsa]

Is a layer feed bad for roosters?

 

[Star and eclipsa]

I have a rooster that lives with her (he started crowing when I stopped petting him to type this) and i don't want to feed them both a layer feed if its bad for roosters.

 

[Hybridchucks]

Is a layer feed bad for roosters?

No i don't think so....i think they eat ( and can eat) what the hens eat

 

[Star and eclipsa]

Ok, thank you for all your help!

 

[Hybridchucks]

Ok, thank you for all your help!

You're welcome. I just hope its the correct info I'm giving out lol. Im not an expert

 

[rebrascora]

There are concerns that the high levels of calcium in layer feed (needed by laying pullets/hens to make egg shells strong) can cause problems for a non laying bird/rooster's kidneys if fed long term. That said, I have difficulty sourcing a suitable alternative for the flock (ie a non medicated grower or flock raiser) in my area, so my male birds get mostly layer pellets, the same as the hens, and I don't observe any ill effects. I butcher surplus cockerels and do post mortem exams on any bird that dies unexpectedly and I haven't found any with obvious kidney problems yet.
That doesn't mean to say that layer feed is OK to feed to cockerels, but if you have limited options then it's a risk you may wish to take. An all flock, flock raiser or grower is a better option for a mixed sex flock with crushed oyster shell provided on the side for the laying hens to ingest when they need it. Animals have a wonderful sense of intuition for minerals that they need and how to find them.

 

[Hybridchucks]

There are concerns that the high levels of calcium in layer feed (needed by laying pullets/hens to make egg shells strong) can cause problems for a non laying bird/rooster's kidneys if fed long term. That said, I have difficulty sourcing a suitable alternative for the flock (ie a non medicated grower or flock raiser) in my area, so my male birds get mostly layer pellets, the same as the hens, and I don't observe any ill effects. I butcher surplus cockerels and do post mortem exams on any bird that dies unexpectedly and I haven't found any with obvious kidney problems yet.
That doesn't mean to say that layer feed is OK to feed to cockerels, but if you have limited options then it's a risk you may wish to take. An all flock, flock raiser or grower is a better option for a mixed sex flock with crushed oyster shell provided on the side for the laying hens to ingest when they need it. Animals have a wonderful sense of intuition for minerals that they need and how to find them.

Thank you!

 

[Chullicken]

What exactly is a production red?

Production Reds/Sex Links are typically a commercial chicken developed by crossing consistent and strong layers of some common other breeds to get a 'hybrid'. Every hatchery calls them something different, but the crossings are usually the same for each. For example Rhode Island Red x Leg Horn, New Hampshire Red x Leg Horn. Not being an actual breed themselves. Really great birds with tons of personality, though I find the ones I've had can be a bit aggressive depending on what cross they are.