Hi there - I've got 7 adult hens that are about a year old. They started laying in November and have been going strong. On Easter we got 3 chicks, and they started integrating with the big girls about 2 weeks later. A few weeks after that they were fully commingling, and once they were sharing a feeder, I switched everybody to 18% starter. At the time, however, I forgot to supplement with calcium. This would have been around early May. Well early last week I noticed a couple thin-shelled eggs and realized I forgot to put oyster shell out (I've never given oyster shell, I gave sand for grit when they weren't free ranging).
Last week I put one of these out (note: not my coop) and filled it with oyster shell. I don't think they're touching it, even a little. I don't think the level has dropped at all. Well yesterday when I was getting home from work, my girls ran over to the driveway to greet me, and one of them stopped, squatted, and dropped a jello jiggler style soft-shelled egg on the driveway!
What can I do to get them added calcium? They usually get to free range from about 3 pm until it's time to roost. Are they getting the calcium they need from bugs and such out in the yard?
Last week I put one of these out (note: not my coop) and filled it with oyster shell. I don't think they're touching it, even a little. I don't think the level has dropped at all. Well yesterday when I was getting home from work, my girls ran over to the driveway to greet me, and one of them stopped, squatted, and dropped a jello jiggler style soft-shelled egg on the driveway!
What can I do to get them added calcium? They usually get to free range from about 3 pm until it's time to roost. Are they getting the calcium they need from bugs and such out in the yard?