What to feed my flock?

[Clovernotrover]

I have 4 laying hens who I feed layers pellets to and I am soon going to purchase a cockerel do I can expand my flock but I was wondering what I should feed him. Will the layers pellets be okay for him or will he need different food?

 

[hnichols]

He will be able to eat layer mash too it is OK.

 

[RJSorensen]

A lot of calcium is not good for roosters, but as long as he is not eating oyster shell, in addition to a complete lay ration, he will be as noted above just fine. Roosters can get by with as low as 9% protein, the protein level of scratch in my area. I feed 16 to 20% protein feed to my lay birds. Whereas he does not have to lay an egg most days his requirement is a lot less. My roosters just peck around the feeder and don't consume very much, I suppose chasing hens and crowing does not burn up a lot of calories. It is quite considered or you to enquire concerning his needs, you will make a fine bird keeper.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Males will die at 4 times the rate of females if all are fed layer (4% calcium) as opposed to other feeds that are 1% calcium.

 

[TalkALittle]

Males will die at 4 times the rate of females if all are fed layer (4% calcium) as opposed to other feeds that are 1% calcium.

A citation to research supporting this statistic would be convincing.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good point.
Here you go.
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/2337/urolithiasis-in-male-broiler-breeders/
http://www.pjbs.org/ijps/fin1947.pdf

And there's more evidence
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10780656
http://www.researchgate.net/publica...he_formation_of_epididymal_stones_in_roosters
http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/early/2011/06/13/REP-11-0131.full.pdf
http://poultryinfo.co.za/articles/Old/avian-urolithiasis-eng.pdf