Hi, in August of last year, I unexpectedly took in four young roosters. Though I have experience with birds and had always been interested in chickens, I didn't anticipate taking them on any time soon, and have spent so much time researching and trying things to the best of my ability. I estimate that they were probably 2 to 3 months old at the time that I found them. I contacted everyone possible in my area, posted in every local online group, and people only offered me two options: I eat them, or they'll eat them for me.
Instead, I've done my best to take care of these boys as my family, and I want to make sure to give them the longest, healthiest lives possible. I could spent hours writing about them here, but the main point of this thread is to discuss options and ideas about feeding roosters long-term as lifelong pets instead of for food, breeding, or fighting. I've spent hours and hours reading every thread that I can find here on feeding roosters, and have found no definitive option yet.
I have tried many different feeds and tried to carefully observe their health and behaviors, as well as what they will eat or refuse to eat. but I want to make sure that I'm doing the best possible. Currently, they eat DuMOR 16% Layer Crumble, have access to both insoluble and soluble grit (they don't really eat either), Grubblies, live mealworms, fresh salad that I chop up daily (varies, but usually includes a spring lettuce mix, arugula, some spinach, fresh corn on the cob, ripe tomatoes, wild blueberries, blackberries, fresh peppers, frozen peas, and whatever else that's chicken-safe that I have at any given time), unlimited access to my garden and they go absolutely crazy for my radish greens all day every day (this is their favorite food, by a long shot) and young broccoli sprouts, scratch (corn, wheat berries, oats, amaranth, quinoa, wild rice, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, kelp, nutritional yeast), sometimes I give them cooked oatmeal and other treats, too. I sometimes add Rooster Booster to their water, and I'm looking into different or better water add-ins. I have not dewormed them or given them any medicine, except for Vetericyn and Blu-Kote when two got into a fight. I have different medical supplies and tools on hand in case, including different antibiotics, miticides, Fenbendazole, Ivermectin.
They have definite preferences in what they eat and who gets first dibs on what foods. I've begun to separate them when I'm not at home, though, so I make sure that they each will have individual access to what they miss if they're bullied out of certain foods when all together. They seem to be doing well with their current setup, but on my own, I currently don't have the knowledge, experience, let alone the equipment and education to actually know for sure how to optimize their diet for the longest-term health and longevity. Thank you everyone for reading this whole thing and for any contributions that I might get. I have many questions and some observations of my own after unexpectedly became a chicken owner eight months ago, and I'm trying my best to be as responsible as possible. These guys are my family, and I only want the best for them
Instead, I've done my best to take care of these boys as my family, and I want to make sure to give them the longest, healthiest lives possible. I could spent hours writing about them here, but the main point of this thread is to discuss options and ideas about feeding roosters long-term as lifelong pets instead of for food, breeding, or fighting. I've spent hours and hours reading every thread that I can find here on feeding roosters, and have found no definitive option yet.
I have tried many different feeds and tried to carefully observe their health and behaviors, as well as what they will eat or refuse to eat. but I want to make sure that I'm doing the best possible. Currently, they eat DuMOR 16% Layer Crumble, have access to both insoluble and soluble grit (they don't really eat either), Grubblies, live mealworms, fresh salad that I chop up daily (varies, but usually includes a spring lettuce mix, arugula, some spinach, fresh corn on the cob, ripe tomatoes, wild blueberries, blackberries, fresh peppers, frozen peas, and whatever else that's chicken-safe that I have at any given time), unlimited access to my garden and they go absolutely crazy for my radish greens all day every day (this is their favorite food, by a long shot) and young broccoli sprouts, scratch (corn, wheat berries, oats, amaranth, quinoa, wild rice, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, kelp, nutritional yeast), sometimes I give them cooked oatmeal and other treats, too. I sometimes add Rooster Booster to their water, and I'm looking into different or better water add-ins. I have not dewormed them or given them any medicine, except for Vetericyn and Blu-Kote when two got into a fight. I have different medical supplies and tools on hand in case, including different antibiotics, miticides, Fenbendazole, Ivermectin.
They have definite preferences in what they eat and who gets first dibs on what foods. I've begun to separate them when I'm not at home, though, so I make sure that they each will have individual access to what they miss if they're bullied out of certain foods when all together. They seem to be doing well with their current setup, but on my own, I currently don't have the knowledge, experience, let alone the equipment and education to actually know for sure how to optimize their diet for the longest-term health and longevity. Thank you everyone for reading this whole thing and for any contributions that I might get. I have many questions and some observations of my own after unexpectedly became a chicken owner eight months ago, and I'm trying my best to be as responsible as possible. These guys are my family, and I only want the best for them
