Re: what does a rooster eat

"Ruffian" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"PM" <hayebail@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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On Jan 26, 9:16 am, "Jill" <n...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"PM" <hayeb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

.....We currently have chickens and would
someday like to get call ducks.

PM, Diluted Scot

At a barn I visit is a rooster. I don't know what breed but he is fancy.
Black and white with feathered legs that look like pantaloons.

I think he is looking a little ragged since when he first arrived. The
rooster, as well as the duck, are being fed "scratch". I asked at the
feed store about upgrading and they suggested "KnockOut" for game birds.
The rooster and duck are eating it but not with relish.

[all of the stuff below is about birds on range - not inside in intensive
setups]
they have little concept of what is good for them, like most of us.
Game bird feed may well be TOO high in protein. I could not see your
KnockOut on google but often game bird feed is over 20 - 24% protein.
Scratch feed is too LOW in protein in many situations. Frequently less than
10% protein. The constituents of 'scratch' can vary around the States, and
the world, it can be more or less of a variety of grains. - whole and or
cracked - wheat oats and maize[corn] Most chickens think it is the best
thing to eat. That does not make it right.
Whether or not birds cope on scratch alone is a very significant "depends",
on SO many things.
But his condition suggests that he is in the "not coping " category. In fact
at this time of year he should be looking pretty blooming stunning. !!!

The best would be to add a proportion of layers pellets in the mix. Layers
ration tends to have around 16 - 18% protein and a good addition of vital
vits and mins that are NOT in scratch. Ranging will add interest and feed
depending on the time of year and the nature of the environment and the size
of a pen.
As neither are producing anything they can do well on 50:50
If it very wet or very cold then 70 scratch / corn : 30 layers
If birds are producing or its hot then reverse this
Too much whole grains, especially Maize/Corn is very bad for chickens or
ducks as their livers simply cannot deal with it and they degenerate until
they just give out. It is fatty liver syndrome. Granted the more productive
the birds the more they are affected by this - poorly productive birds,
banties, and the likes of farmyard boys will probably have a higher
tolerance.
For laying chickens on range, the diet should be ad lib layers ration with
only a small [one ounce per bird per day] of grains scattered so they clear
it up. Its a useful supplement but its not a whole food for them.

Having said all of the above -- its astonishing what some chickens and ducks
are fed year on year and still manage to survive into another year.
Even barley which does really horrible things to the inside of their
digestive tract if not fed with the enzyme required to break it down.

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk



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