Rooster issue

[Paz]

And to answer your question, if you're feeding your laying flock with meat bird feed, they are likely to gain issues, just as much as your rooster can gain issues from eating layer feed. If your boy goes out and free ranges, I don't see a problem in giving him layer feed, especially since most roosters are disposable, and it would be better for your hens, who are the majority.
Meat bird feed is not the same as mixed flock feed. It has too much protein and fat for layers.
NOTE: in my country "grower feed" is for meat birds, I don't know how it works in the USA.

 

[The Good Grumble]

Bro, I don't see what's your problem in buying the adult size grit and seeming if it solved your issue.

Because my issue isn’t grit. My issue is food, which is what I came here to ask, I just thought my rooster was being a goober.

 

[The Good Grumble]

I have several hens,some young chicks and a rooster. I feed All Flock chicken food to all of them. I do get a small bag of chick food for the tiny chicks and flock eats some of that as well. All doing well. They have a huge fenced area to roam around. My rooster is 5 years old and healthy. No reason to stress. Good luck and keep us updated

Thank you! I wish I could find an all flock without wheat or barley. That would make things a lot easier lol!

 

[The Good Grumble]

And to answer your question, if you're feeding your laying flock with meat bird feed, they are likely to gain issues, just as much as your rooster can gain issues from eating layer feed. If your boy goes out and free ranges, I don't see a problem in giving him layer feed, especially since most roosters are disposable, and it would be better for your hens, who are the majority.
Meat bird feed is not the same as mixed flock feed. It has too much protein and fat for layers.
NOTE: in my country "grower feed" is for meat birds, I don't know how it works in the USA.

Ahhh…. I understand - I’m using a starter grower. Because of my newish pullets and my rooster. So I’m not sure if it’s used for meat birds. I’ve only always had layers. This is what it looks like. The birds free range every afternoon until dinner. Gives me a chance to clean everything up nicely.

What I currently feed (back ordered) it’s peanut,pea, alfalfa, fish meal and sorghum.

Crude Protein (Min) 20%
Lysine (Min) 1.0%
Methionine (Min) .45%
Crude Fat (Min) 2.75%
Crude Fiber (Max) 9.0%
Calcium (Min) 1.5%
Calcium (Max) 2.0%
Phosphorus (Min) .60%
Salt (Min) .20%
Salt (Max) .50%
Sodium (Min) .14%
Sodium (Max) .50%

This is the layer I can get that is wheat free (I have a choice of two layer feeds without wheat/barley) similar profile - small differences

Crude protein, minimum 17.00 %
Lysine, minimum 0.90 %
Methionine, minimum 0.30 %
Crude fat, minimum 3.00 %
Crude fiber, maximum 6.00 %
Calcium, minimum 3.50 %
Calcium, maximum 4.50 %
Phosphorous 0.80 %
Salt, minimum 0.45 %
Salt, maximum 0.95

Or

The other is 18% Protein 3% calcium if that matters a whole lot.

 

[Paz]

Your question wasn’t only about feed, as you may believe, when I read it, I understood mostly that you’re concerned about the rooster eating the crushed shells, it came out as if you’re wondering about why he was eating the shells, which is why most people answered the way they did.
Notice how almost everyone was answering why he was eating the sea shells? (Even if you don’t agree with their theory, which is irrelevant now). That’s because your question prompted people to come up with a reason for him to eat the sea shells, most likely because of the way it was paraphrased.
Now I have to add my theory onto why he’s eating the seashells, I think he needs the extra calcium, as a young rooster.

 

[Paz]

Ahhh…. I understand - I’m using a starter grower. Because of my newish pullets and my rooster. So I’m not sure if it’s used for meat birds. I’ve only always had layers. This is what it looks like. The birds free range every afternoon until dinner. Gives me a chance to clean everything up nicely.

What I currently feed (back ordered) it’s peanut,pea, alfalfa, fish meal and sorghum.

Crude Protein (Min) 20%
Lysine (Min) 1.0%
Methionine (Min) .45%
Crude Fat (Min) 2.75%
Crude Fiber (Max) 9.0%
Calcium (Min) 1.5%
Calcium (Max) 2.0%
Phosphorus (Min) .60%
Salt (Min) .20%
Salt (Max) .50%
Sodium (Min) .14%
Sodium (Max) .50%

This is the layer I can get that is wheat free (I have a choice of two layer feeds without wheat/barley) similar profile - small differences

Crude protein, minimum 17.00 %
Lysine, minimum 0.90 %
Methionine, minimum 0.30 %
Crude fat, minimum 3.00 %
Crude fiber, maximum 6.00 %
Calcium, minimum 3.50 %
Calcium, maximum 4.50 %
Phosphorous 0.80 %
Salt, minimum 0.45 %
Salt, maximum 0.95

Or

The other is 18% Protein 3% calcium if that matters a whole lot.

In my opinion, you can feed them the layer feed, the second type is better for the rooster, if he has enough time roaming outside, he will balance it. Again, my advice comes from a place in which I believe the hens are more important than a rooster. Wait until your pullets start laying though.
3% calcium can be a bit low for layers, so you may want to keep supplementing with the seashells, or feed them back crushed eggshells if you notice the shells become thinner.
Good luck, with whichever choice you make.
And sorry if I sounded a bit harsh

 

[NatJ]

I was thinking I could stretch the crumble by doing a 2:1 ratio with the layer, rather than straight up,layer. I have about 40lbs crumble and 25 layer to last hopefully until the back order is up, then I may just buy a pallet. This is really stressful and I need to sort it.

I do not know if this would help or not. Since you are in a bind right now, I think it makes as much sense as any other idea I can think of.

I notice you are thinking ahead to avoid this situation in future (buying a pallet of it). That sounds like a good idea to me, as long as you are able to store it safely. I know you don't want to be feeding a bunch of mice, or having it grow mold, or any of the other problems that can sometimes happen when people try to store feed.

 

[The Good Grumble]

I do not know if this would help or not. Since you are in a bind right now, I think it makes as much sense as any other idea I can think of.

I notice you are thinking ahead to avoid this situation in future (buying a pallet of it). That sounds like a good idea to me, as long as you are able to store it safely. I know you don't want to be feeding a bunch of mice, or having it grow mold, or any of the other problems that can sometimes happen when people try to store feed.

I have a great basement / root cellar. No mice there. It’s where I store all my feed. Thank you!

 

[NatJ]

I have a great basement / root cellar. No mice there. It’s where I store all my feed. Thank you!

Lack of mice is a great thing!

Sometimes basements are damp enough that the feed will grow mold. Not saying yours is or isn't, just that you might want to think about that aspect too.

 

[The Good Grumble]

Lack of mice is a great thing!

Sometimes basements are damp enough that the feed will grow mold. Not saying yours is or isn't, just that you might want to think about that aspect too.

We’re good! It’s brand new, I put it under my addition when we did it in 2022. It was my dream root cellar! I wish I could keep humidity levels higher than they are for food storage. I deliberately did a stone floor, but for code I had to have a vapor barrier. So that’s hindered it I’m sure.