My first hen just started laying a week ago and I panicked today when I realized that I forgot to start offering calcium and raced to the nearest feed store (TSC) to snag some oyster shell since we didn't have crushed egg shells readily available.
I have a flock of 3 hens and maybe two roosters. It was suggested to me that since I have both genders in my flock, to keep feeding unmedicated chick starter/grower and offer free choice calcium.
My hen tried sitting three days ago but didn't lay an egg, it's been three days since she's laid one...I'm thinking I'm being over paranoid because at one point today I went out to feed them a treat and my hen was squatting, tail down and seemed weird like maybe she wS egg bound but maybe it's also me and my inexperience with raising chickens and a nervous chicken mom because shortly after she seemed fine
Will her instincts kick in and know to eat the oyster shell?
Should I worry about my non laying hens and roosters eating the oysters and getting too much calcium?
I purchased this brand at TSC and it seems like the chunks are HUGE for chickens to ingest....thoughts?
I have a flock of 3 hens and maybe two roosters. It was suggested to me that since I have both genders in my flock, to keep feeding unmedicated chick starter/grower and offer free choice calcium.
My hen tried sitting three days ago but didn't lay an egg, it's been three days since she's laid one...I'm thinking I'm being over paranoid because at one point today I went out to feed them a treat and my hen was squatting, tail down and seemed weird like maybe she wS egg bound but maybe it's also me and my inexperience with raising chickens and a nervous chicken mom because shortly after she seemed fine
Will her instincts kick in and know to eat the oyster shell?
Should I worry about my non laying hens and roosters eating the oysters and getting too much calcium?
I purchased this brand at TSC and it seems like the chunks are HUGE for chickens to ingest....thoughts?
