What to feed my roos?

[EggSighted4Life]

I would personally avoid the Dumor... haven't heard of too many peoples' birds really thriving on it. I also pay $17-20 depending on which store for the 50# flock raiser.

Many people male the mistake of feeding nothing but scratch. You have already discovered that it is a treat that should be fed at less than 10% of the total daily ration. I wouldn't do that much on a regular basis. But use it as a treat that attracts them to YOU. Something you do personally instead of putting it in a dish regularly. You can use it for training if you need to even, like getting them into their coop when you need to.

Good for you for researching and doing the best you can for your birds.

 

[kwhites634]

I have 12 hens and 3 roosters, some hens just started laying eggs, so I changed the feed to laying chicken feed. What about the roos? What do they eat? I also bought oyster shells 4 the hens. This is my first time having chickens and I'm not sure what I'm doing. I did hatch 11 of the 15. I have learned up until they lay eggs.

Some will tell you that layer feed is bad for roosters, for health reasons. All I know is I've fed it to my roosters with no problems, and I'm fixing to go back to it; only makes sense when all the birds are in one run & the feed is free choice.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

only makes sense when all the birds are in one run & the feed is free choice.

That's how I feel about the flock raiser and oyster shell in the side too.

 

[red horse ranch]

My roosters have eaten layer feed almost their entire life. My roosters usually live at least 5 years and most of them longer. Right now I have roosters that are 7 and 8 years old. Hasn't killed them yet.

 

[Folly's place]

I have a mixed flock of young, older, hens, and roosters, and soon chicks. Everyone eats an all-flock feed, with oyster shell on the side. Here it's Purina Flock Raiser, 20% protein, costing from $16 to $16.50 per 50 pounds, and always within four weeks of milling.
Depending on your location, other feeds may make more sense to feed, and if you are doing strictly organic, that changes your plan too.
My birds have done better on this feed than they did when eating a 16% protein layer feed.
Mary

 

[lomine]

I also feed Flock Raiser from hatching on. It’s just easier with a mixed flock. It means I don’t ever have to worry about switching feeds during molting season, when no one lays in winter, as the girls start laying, or if the males eat it. Those that are laying get their calcium from oyster shell. Feeding layer feed too soon can actually cause pullets to lay later than they normally would because the lower protein slows development.