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Oyster Shell Equivalent? - Page 2

post #11 of 25
2/22/12 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 

Oh, Imp, that is a fabulous list! Thank you so much! How do I know how much to give them?

Blogging Away At http://thejuise.blogspot.com/

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Blogging Away At http://thejuise.blogspot.com/

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post #12 of 25
2/22/12 at 5:09pm
First of all, do I need to make these inaccessible to the younger chickens?

I have seen younger chickens eat a few, but what youngster doesn't experiment? I have not seen them eat many. I think they quickly understand they don't need it, while the hens usually eat it if they need it. One bite won't harm them. They would have to eat extra calcium over a time period for it to harm them.

So, no, you do not need to make it inaccessible. You can't stop them anyway.

Is this still a necessary addition for free ranging birds?

Maybe, maybe not. Wild birds lay eggs and they don't get fed oyster shell. There is a lot of calcium in the environment. They may get calcium from the shells of some bugs they eat. Many plants provide calcium. If your rock is limestone, they will get calcium from the small pebbles they eat as grit. As Flockwatcher said, let your egg shells tell you if they need more.

I put my egg shells on the compost heap. If they want them, they can eat them. Usually they don't.
Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought....Abraham Lincoln (Freedom carries responsibility)

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.....Judge Learned Hand  (The more sure your are that your way is the only right way, the more likely you are wrong.)
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Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought....Abraham Lincoln (Freedom carries responsibility)

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.....Judge Learned Hand  (The more sure your are that your way is the only right way, the more likely you are wrong.)
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post #13 of 25
2/22/12 at 5:16pm
  • Imp
  • All things share the same breath- Chief Seattle



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Juise View Post

Oh, Imp, that is a fabulous list! Thank you so much! How do I know how much to give them?


Um! Never thought about it that way. I feed Purina Layer which already has calcium in it. and nightly make them a "salad" as a treat. I usually give them greens, veggies, carbs, sometimes fruit or catfood. I have never bothered with the eggshells and rarely give them oyster shell. Since I've never had a problem with thin shells I haven't bothered to think it past trying to keep their treats to healthy treats; rather than "junk" foods.

 

Imp
 

 


Edited by Imp - 2/22/12 at 6:22pm

 

 

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

 

       ― Chief Seattle

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If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

 

       ― Chief Seattle

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post #14 of 25
2/22/12 at 5:27pm

I tried the egg shells baked and crushed last summer and I have ended  up with some egg eaters. I haven't found out yet who is doing it but they do eat them sometimes. I will never do the egg shells again with my chickens. Just my experience.

BSL, black austrolorps,  Barred Rocks , RIR, Gold Stars,  Muscovy ducks and Delawares

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BSL, black austrolorps,  Barred Rocks , RIR, Gold Stars,  Muscovy ducks and Delawares

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post #15 of 25
2/22/12 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 

Hmm, I regularly give mine the crushed egg shells, and have never had an issue with egg pecking. hu.gif

 

They are on a layer feed right now, the change comes because I guess I will need to switch the whole flock over to flock raiser for the new chickies we're getting in order for them to hang out.

Blogging Away At http://thejuise.blogspot.com/

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Blogging Away At http://thejuise.blogspot.com/

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post #16 of 25
2/22/12 at 7:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by harleyjo View Post

I tried the egg shells baked and crushed last summer and I have ended  up with some egg eaters. I haven't found out yet who is doing it but they do eat them sometimes. I will never do the egg shells again with my chickens. Just my experience.



Try the mustard-filled egg trick! I have heard that works sometimes.

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post #17 of 25
2/22/12 at 9:55pm

Feeding back the egg shells is NOT adding any calcium to their diets, since that calcium came from the birds to begin with,

It helps, but it's still not enough to replace what they are losing

 

Oyster shell is cheap and  easy to find at most feed stores

 

Why make things harder than they need to be?

Bear Foot Farm
Dorper Sheep and Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs
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Bear Foot Farm
Dorper Sheep and Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs
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post #18 of 25
2/23/12 at 3:18am

I agree with bear just screw a little bowl of oyster shell to the side of your coop & your done.

I'm out of eggs. But I know where some brown ones are. I now raise big Ol' Honkin' Bob Whites & Layed back Coturnix. Pray For Rain In Texas>
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I'm out of eggs. But I know where some brown ones are. I now raise big Ol' Honkin' Bob Whites & Layed back Coturnix. Pray For Rain In Texas>
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post #19 of 25
2/23/12 at 8:55am

I'm also wondering if free range hens need the oyster shell.  I throw it out with scratch, but they just seem to ignore it.

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post #20 of 25
2/23/12 at 9:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by linda@cadmasters.com View Post

I'm also wondering if free range hens need the oyster shell.  I throw it out with scratch, but they just seem to ignore it.


Mine range freely, too, but I do keep some oyster shell out for them all the time. More as a "just in case" it's needed. I don't give mine scratch, but they do get a fresh greens, dry oatmeal, shredded cheese, or BOSS as treats. I'd rather the hens find the oyster shell if they should need it, than deal with soft-shelled eggs and try to build up calcium levels from the deficit side of things.

-- Linda (AKA: gryeyes)
I refuse to fight a battle of wits with an unarmed person.

Buncha PET chickens, ducks, and a pair of Toulouse geese.  Oh, plus 2 wiener dogs, some bunnies and 2 cats which own me.

MAHONRI'S 3RD ANNUAL, BYC EASTER HATCH-A-LONG!!!!

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-- Linda (AKA: gryeyes)
I refuse to fight a battle of wits with an unarmed person.

Buncha PET chickens, ducks, and a pair of Toulouse geese.  Oh, plus 2 wiener dogs, some bunnies and 2 cats which own me.

MAHONRI'S 3RD ANNUAL, BYC EASTER HATCH-A-LONG!!!!

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