Since BigBeard brought up the subject of roosters eating stuff that may not be good for them, I started wondering if laying mash, with it's higher calciiium content is ok for them to eat.. all my birds are free range but they do get breakfast outside and dinner before bed.. when the girls start laying and I switch their feed, should I be offering the roo's something else??
What does everyone else do??

My roos eat the layer food. Always have and always will. I haven't seen any ill effects from it. Curious to hear from others though.

Susie

Susie, once the hens start laying and you've switched their food to laying feed, do you ever feed them something different, like during molting or during the winter when laying slacks off? or are they on layer for the rest of their lives? (you believe I'm thinking of snow!!?) and thanks for the reasurance that I'm not hurting my roo's!! :-)

Cochima,

Yes, I feed them layer feed for the rest of their lives. During moulting or stress situations (for me that would be bad enough snow that I don't let them out of the coop) I add vitamins to their water. In winter months, I try to give them some healthy treats since they aren't getting so many bugs and grasses. My flock's favorite is cooked carrots. I buy cases of canned ones at a local cannery for cheap! But the mainstay is always layer feed. And if you supplement their light during the winter months, you'll still get plenty of eggs!

Susie

Thanks Susie, You've been real sweet to answer my endless questions... hmm, cooked carrots, never thought of that... !