4th Annual BYC NYD Hatch-a-long

[farmerChef]

What form does the Calcium come in? Powder? Granular? Pellets?? I'll have to make a little pit stop at the feed store today...

Tractor Supply has oyster shell in 5lb and 20 or 30lb bags. Its broken into little pieces

 

[ronott1]

Quote:

Quote: Yes, that is it!

I bought a 20# bag and keep It in a little chick feeder for them.

 

[TMNfarm]

Ok!! I have oyster shell.... I thought you were talking about some other form of calcium.... Duh.....

 

[delisha]

Because ducks do so much playing in the dirt and mud they do not use grit as much as chickens do.
I not only do this for the ducks, I also do it for the chicks. I dig up a piece of grass and set it on some sand on an extra large container. For the chicks right now the grass island is in a big tin foil roasting pan. If I had ducks, I would add water and make a little pond. They get grit naturally that way.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I feed my egg shells back to my girls... I do plan to keep a roo... So should I switch to all chick starter, or all-flock for everyone?? Is it enough to feed back the egg shells or do I need to add oyster shell as well?

do I just dry out shells and then crush them good? I dont want egg eaters

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Because ducks do so much playing in the dirt and mud they do not use grit as much as chickens do.
I not only do this for the ducks, I also do it for the chicks. I dig up a piece of grass and set it on some sand on an extra large container. For the chicks right now the grass island is in a big tin foil roasting pan. If I had ducks, I would add water and make a little pond. They get grit naturally that way.

can ducks get sour and impacted crops from long pcs of grass like chickens can??

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I always ask alot of questions dont I? and some twice and some more lol

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Yes, crush them up!

It is not true that giving them eggs will make them egg eaters. Almost all eggs eaten by hens were eggs with shells that are too soft to hatch. Hens will peck an egg to see how hard it is and just like they will go after a bleeding flock mate, they will stop when the injured hen or the egg does not look like food to them.

If you have what you think is an egg eating hen, check the eggs! They probably need more calcium, vitamins or they may even have parasites which make the eggs shell week.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Yes, crush them up!

It is not true that giving them eggs will make them egg eaters. Almost all eggs eaten by hens were eggs with shells that are too soft to hatch. Hens will peck an egg to see how hard it is and just like they will go after a bleeding flock mate, they will stop when the injured hen or the egg does not look like food to them.

If you have what you think is an egg eating hen, check the eggs! They probably need more calcium, vitamins or they may even have parasites which make the eggs shell week.
will start doing that! thanks !!

 

[delisha]

I always ask alot of questions dont I? and some twice and some more lol

Questions are good.

To be honest, I have never had sour crop. I do not have all the problems that so many have. I free range and I cull for weaknesses and undesirabilities. My flock needs to be sound and for the most part self sufficiant. I rarely feed much grains in the summer and fall. The winter is when I feed pretty heavy. I feed my bird quality and not quanitity. Fresh foods for the most part. Even raw meats. I do feed egg shells. I have had birds eat eggs and break shells. They are testing and all young birds usually do this. It is normal behavior. Males will eat the shells if they need the nutrients. Some bake them, I do not. If the egg shell is too dirty I just break the egg and leave it for who ever finds it. I understand why some bake the shells though.

I give ducks and chicks a grass island. it gives them all the grit they need and it also allows them to build some flock yard amunities. For the ducks I add a small water island.