Feeding Roosters, Broody Hens, and Mixed-Age Flocks

Mixed-age or mixed-sex flocks are the case for all-flock (also called flock-raiser or all-purpose) feed at 18-20% protein and low calcium, with a separate free-choice dish of crushed oyster shell so laying hens can top up calcium and the rest of the flock leaves it alone. Roosters on straight layer feed for years can develop kidney stones or gout from the excess calcium. Chicks running with the adult flock cannot safely eat layer feed either. Broody hens (sitting on eggs 21 days straight) eat and drink only briefly once or twice a day, so make sure a fresh dish of high-protein feed and clean water are within a few feet of the nest, and pull her off gently once a day if she will not get up herself. When the chicks hatch, mama teaches them to eat and drink, put chick-safe starter and a shallow waterer on the coop floor, and the whole flock can share the starter (they just do not lay as well on it, so this is a short-term setup or use all-flock plus oyster shell). Roosters spend a lot of time tidbitting for hens rather than eating, so make sure feeder space is generous enough that a possessive roo cannot block the pullets out.