17 week old Calico Princess laying & Needs Calcium

[HeatherKellyB]

So I have 1 Pullet in my baby flock (17 and 18 week olds). My Calico Princess (17 weeks + 2 days now) came out of the coop with a more red and larger comb and wattles one morning a couple of weeks ago. She's the only pullet that looks close to POL in this flock. I set up nesting boxes the day she began looking more mature. Yesterday, I had 1 small perfectly shelled egg in the nest box and this morning there was 1 egg in there as well. The flock is on Purina Flock Raiser. I know that she needs some extra calcium now, so do I put out oyster shell/very broken up egg shell for free choice? My concern is the others eating it as my EE eats pine shavings and sweet PDZ very often. I don't believe that any of the other pullets are near POL. The pullets in this flock: Two 18 week old Easter Eggers, One 18 week old Silkie, 17 week old Calico Princess, 17 week old Starlight Green Egger, 17 week old Midnight Majesty Maran (I know that some of these are Hoover's names of cross breeds, this entire flock came from TSC). How do you suggest I offer calcium to the one laying pullet in this flock without hurting anyone that doesn't need it? I sometimes wonder if one of my EE has pica - another topic for another day. Thank you for your time

 

[sealer39]

I’d keep feeding the Flock Raiser and supplement with oyster shell. If after all your birds are laying and the oyster shell is not keeping up, then you should consider mixing in some layer feed.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I would just offer it free choice. I honestly don't think anyone who doesn't need it will eat it. I've fed my flock this way for years and I've never had a problem. The others will give a little nibble or two to sample the oyster shell, but if they don't need it they really don't eat it.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I offered Oyster Shells to my newest Flock of Barred Rocks after 16 weeks old. They went crazy for the Oyster Shells for 3 days, then slowed down drastically.
I've read that they should have access to Calcium before laying, but not before 15 weeks old.
I also fed them Flock Raiser or a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower after 10 weeks and still do at 16 months old.
None started to lay till 20 weeks old, all were laying by 23 weeks.
Do you offer Poultry Grit? (Crushed Granite). You don't want them using Oyster Shells as Grit.
Mine have had access to Grit since 2 weeks old.
I offer Both Shells and Grit in separate containers with 3/32 holes in the bottom to drain moisture. . GC