7-week old chicks and calcium

[The Chickens' Maid]

I have four, seven-week old chicks that are free to run around the main coop any time they like. They love to eat the grown hen's food, although they still get their normal chick feed. I was wondering, though, even though they have handled the calcium in the layer feed, would they be able to handle oyster shell if I gave it to the older hens? I have at least one hen that needs calcium, not urgent but she should get it. Will it hurt the chicks if they get some of it too? Thanks!

 

[Judy]

They should not have layer available. The extra calcium will damage their kidneys.

The usual recommendation is to feed hens and chicks starter or grower when they are all together, and offer oyster shell separately. The the chicks will eat little or none of the oyster shell, especially if grit is available, and the hens will do fine on the starter or grower.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the previous post. Sometimes I mix up some of their crumbles in yogurt. They devour it.

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

It damages their kidneys!? They've been eating it for weeks now; they are due to come off the chick starter soon (60 days). How will I know if the layer has hurt them or not? They only eat small pieces of it, and they don't eat it as their main food, they eat the chick starter. They've been growing normally and are VERY energetic!