This is probably a dumb question but, I really want to be sure. I have a flock that is all hens. I am planning on introducing two roosters into the group. Can they eat the same feed as the hens? I remember reading somewhere that the calcium in the feed for hens can hurt the kidneys of poultry that aren't laying. I think it was referring to growing pullets but since my roosters will never lay should this be a concern? Should I use regular feed and have calcium as free choice or is it okay to feed layer rations to all adult birds regardless of sex?
While it is not recommended to feed layer to young birds that are still developing, it won't hurt adult birds of either sex.
Yeah, I allow my rooster the same thing the hens get - forage from the ground, occasional scratch, human food, and of course layer pellets. Once he's ready as food in some number of months though, I'll probably give him more fat and protein or something.
