Roosters have their individual food preferences just like people. Typically, both roosters and hens forage for plants, worms and bugs -- and feed on scratch; such as corn, millet, sunflower seeds and oyster shells, which provide the necessary nutrients.

What do you feed a cockerel?

Purina^® Flock Raiser^® is recommended as rooster feed, as roosters require less calcium in chicken feed than laying hens. A rooster can wake you with spirit each day and help your flock grow through fertilized eggs.

What should you not feed a rooster?

Roosters can forage around your yard for greens and insects, but this may not be enough to meet their nutritional demands. Roosters should not be fed avocados, uncooked or undercooked beans and raw green potato peels, as these items are toxic to them.