What to feed cockerel and laying pullets?

[leighks]

I have a cockerel and some pullets, all around 18 weeks old. One of them just laid her first egg 2 days ago
I don't want to feed a layer feed to all of them, as I have read conflicting info about roosters getting too much calcium and possible health problems. I am currently feeding a grower feed with 18% protein and have free choice calcium in a separate bowl. Will this work for the laying birds as their main diet? I couldn't find an all flock food- the next best choice was a feather fixer food, but it's pellets and my birds prefer crumbles. Thanks.

 

[BYCforlife]

I have been feeding my chickens and roosters 17% layer feed. I have had successfull hatches and healthy chicks. The roosters are VERY healthy. I don't think your chckerels will have any problems. If they have too much of something, their body just gets rid of the extra.

 

[3riverschick]

What breed do you have? if you have a meat based or meat Heritage fowl, you can feed both of them a meatbird poultry feed. if you have egg layer and you want to feed them all the same feed then you want to feed them either an " all flock" or a "flock raiser" formula. the rooster should not eat layer formula because it has too much calcium in it and it will hurt their kidneys and can kill them.
then go ahead and set aside crushed oyster shell on the side. the hens will partake of it as they need it for more calcium .The Roosters will pretty much leave it alone unless they need some. don't forget the chicken grit. both sexes need that .the girls need it to grind their food better so they can up take more nutrition that will result in more eggs in the girls.
Best ,
Karen

 

[leighks]

I don't have any meat birds, they are various breeds of egg layers. And they do have a grit bowl too. I haven't seen any all flock at the feed store, but I think they have a flock raiser. The reason I mentioned the feather fixer feed is because the bag said for hens and roosters over 16 weeks of age. That one was also 18% protein if I remember correctly, or maybe 20%. Would still need calcium supplement with that one too. Thanks.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I feed Flock Raiser, saves me from having different stages of feed! Start my chicks off on a 10# bag of Medicated Chick Started, then switch. Once they start laying I put out a container of Oyster Shells, hens eat as needed & Roos won't eat but if they do won't be much. I also ferment my feed, saves from having so many containers out

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't have any meat birds, they are various breeds of egg layers. And they do have a grit bowl too. I haven't seen any all flock at the feed store, but I think they have a flock raiser. The reason I mentioned the feather fixer feed is because the bag said for hens and roosters over 16 weeks of age. That one was also 18% protein if I remember correctly, or maybe 20%. Would still need calcium supplement with that one too. Thanks.

Do a nutritional and cost analysis between the choices available where you shop. This will help you to make an informed decision. As far as I know, the grower is a bit higher in fat, but all other nutrients should be similar to other feeds of the same protein content. Take your time and look up the nutritional information on your computer. That way, you can make a detailed comparison, and make your decision before standing at the counter at the feed store.

I feed a layer pellet. By asking what my options were, I found that the company's "no frills" store brand is $2 less per bag than their "standard" bag. The only difference between the 2 bags: One comes in a plain paper bag. The other comes in a pretty "tarp bag" with a lot of advertising hype. Nutritional analysis is identical. I bet you can figure out which bag I buy!

IMO, mill date is by far the most important bit of information on a feed bag. If that feed is over 6 weeks old, it's loosing it's nutrients. Stale feed is no bargain.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I don't have any meat birds, they are various breeds of egg layers. And they do have a grit bowl too. I haven't seen any all flock at the feed store, but I think they have a flock raiser. The reason I mentioned the feather fixer feed is because the bag said for hens and roosters over 16 weeks of age. That one was also 18% protein if I remember correctly, or maybe 20%. Would still need calcium supplement with that one too. Thanks.

The Feather Fixer contains an average of 3.5% Calcium, the same amount in many layers feed, and 18% Protein. Just goes to show you that Nutrena believes that Calcium, won't harm cockerels/roosters, over 16 weeks of age, and I agree. If I had roosters they would be fed layers.
The 18% Protein grower feed is an excellent feed for your chickens. Offer Oyster Shell in a separate container, and Granite Grit in another container, if they don't have access to a gravelly soil. Flock Raiser and All Flock are similar. 20% and 18% Protein. Both good choices. GC

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I feed all my roosters and hens flock raiser with a side of oyster shell.

 

[leighks]

Excellent points, thanks everyone. After looking up the flock raiser, feather fixer, and the starter/ grower I currently feed it seems like I can stick with what I'm feeding now and just have the oyster shells and grit on the side- which is good, because I didn't think they would be laying yet and have a mostly full bag of the starter/ grower. It has 18% protein, 2.75 min fat, and calcium between .90-1.10.
So unless anyone knows of a reason it could be a problem nutritionally, I think I will keep them on the starter/ grower. Plus in the spring when I get new chicks, everyone can still eat the same food.

 

[lazy gardener]

You're just fine, as long as you have an ad lib source of calcium available for them.