Different feed for cockerels and hens?

[Snadger]

All my chooks are fed layers pellets at the mo.

My cockerels are twice as big as the ex bats and eat about twice as much.
I was thinking of feeding my cockerels on mixed corn instead of layers as they are for eating and 'corn fed' chicken is supposed to be nice to eat?

Thoughts please!

[RedThorn]

suppose lots more corn to fatten them up maybe, but I think they need more than that, I'm not sure that they can process that amount of corn (even cracked/mixed) through their crops....

[Glutton4...]

Swap the Layers' for Growers'!

[RichmondHens]

You need growers or cock fatteners (yes really you can buy them!) for cocks. They can have corn but not too much as it lays down too much fat. I feed the same way as for the laying flocks. Mainly pellets and then a corn treat in the evening (the cocks can get a bit more than you would give the hens).

[Snadger]

Swap the Layers' for Growers'!

I had them on growers for a time after they came off chick crumb but it was easier just to feed layers from a single bag as I was buying it for tuthers.

[Snadger]

You need growers or cock fatteners (yes really you can buy them!) for cocks. They can have corn but not too much as it lays down too much fat. I feed the same way as for the laying flocks. Mainly pellets and then a corn treat in the evening (the cocks can get a bit more than you would give the hens).

So they won't laugh t me at the feed merchants if I ask for cock fatteners!!!!!

[MaureenHall]

Well not to your face they won't bet they have a giggle when you've gone though

[Tiny1000]

So they won't laugh t me at the feed merchants if I ask for cock fatteners!!!!!

Just a thought...are theses fit for human consumpation......second thought nah don't bother

[bluemoon]

What about cockerels that aren't for eating? Mine just eat the same as the girls, which is Smallholder Range layers pellets, But Coco is now MASSIVE, if we were going to eat him (which we're not) it would have to be as a replacement for the turkey at Christmas. I am a little concerned that all the energy he put into growing to this size is now going to go into making him fat, but he's in with his laydees so I can't really give him separate rations. Would it be better to keep the cockerels apart from the girls for part of the year and only put them together when I wanted fertile eggs, do you think? Sorry, Snadger, hijacked your thread.

[Hilary B]

I would feed them the same as the girls, but encourage the cockerel to eat more grain.
Bluemoon, I doubt a cockerel with ladies to look after would actually get fat. Often the problem is getting them to put on any more weight once their hormones take effect!

[Nicos]

Mine all eat the same stuff now.
Free ranging with layers pellets available day and night- a mug of cracked corn and a couple of handfuls of growers pellets thrown out for all to access ( really for the 6wk old chicks)
Crushed oyster shells for all to access- I suppose they all need strong bones if they're not laying.

Farming friend cant understand why I'm even giving them pellets- free range and corn is what she suggests- and left over veg etc.

When I threw crumb down for the chicks- all the others were trying to eat it as well- layers and cockerels!!

[RichmondHens]

Cocks running around with ladies won't put enough meat on for the table. We've done "taste testing" with cocks raised in different ways, and separating them off into their own pen with a specific diet is the best way to get the weight up for eating.

Boys on their own do less running around, and tend to sit about a lot (quite sweet really), and with no ladies around don't scrap so much either.

We've fed them up on different feed too, and have found a high corn intake makes them too fat - they weigh up ok but when dressing have found a lot of the "weight" is actually a thick fat layer under the skin.

Cocks kept not for the table can eat the same as the ladies.

[bluemoon]

Thank you, I'll leave things as they are then.

[Snadger]

...............................

We've fed them up on different feed too, and have found a high corn intake makes them too fat - they weigh up ok but when dressing have found a lot of the "weight" is actually a thick fat layer under the skin.
.....................

The cockerel that I culled had this layer of fat..................I put it down to similarities between 'puppy fat' on an adolecent human being?
At the time he was fed on nothing but layers pellets! The layer of fat did help to baste the meat though and keep it moist!