A Quick Question...About Chicken Scratch

[Sharylva]

I recently got 3 chickens, Roxy the Barred Rock, Black Beauty the Black Australorp, and Speckles the Speckled Sussex. They are about 16 weeks old so not ready to lay eggs yet. Do I wait until after they start laying to give them oyster shells?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
They don't need oyster shell until they are forming eggs every day. Layer feed also has calcium in it (which is why it is best to not switch to layer until laying).

You can have the oyster shell sitting around without problems before they are laying. They will peck at it some, but not overdo it. This is helpful if you are feeding grower feed to EVERYONE, and have layers and nonlayers penned together.

 

[Dutchgirl]

We feed them all layer feed (when they're adult) and give them scratch as a treat only. Sunflower seeds are also strictly treats.

 

[bufforp89]

When I have extra cockrals in the warmer months I just let them free range. They get a handful of scratch in the evenings to encourage them to get in the coop and keep them tame. Thats it. They take a lot longer to grow then cornishX or even duel purpose fed a regular diet but you can't beat free meat! As soon as they are big enough they go off to the processor. This summer I hope to get the nerve to process myself and just harvest them as needed.