Adding Calcium?

[KramerHens]

We have four new layers - two, the Rhode Island Red and Wyandott are laying perfect eggs. The Buff Orpington and Barred Rock are laying soft-shelled eggs.

I've read several of the threads about the topic and am going to try adding calcium to their diet for a bit - the two soft-shell layers are much bigger than the others and I'm wondering if they just need a little boost here at the beginning of their laying career.

Can I drop a few Tums and a vitamin D capsule into their water?

I made them a mash of yogurt and feed to peck at today.

How long do I add calcium and will it harm the two that are laying regular-shelled eggs?

Thank you for this website - it's been a useful tool and true gift to us as we try this new foray into backyard chickens!

 

[Ridgerunner]

What I suggest is get a bag of oyster shell and offer that on the side, don’t mix it with the feed. See if that helps.

I don’t know what they are eating or where they are getting their calcium, but some hens are just more efficient at converting the calcium they eat to eggshells than others. Most hens seem to know instinctively whether they need more calcium or not. If you offer it on the side they usually do a pretty good job of regulating how much they eat. Most, not all.

I’d try this first and give it a week or so before I mixed it with their feed. That way the ones that don’t need it aren’t forced to eat calcium to excess.

 

[3 NH reds]

1. I need to find a way to get mine more calcium. I feed layer food, tried two different brands and I have oyster shell on the side.They are two year old birds and this started at year 2.

 

[KramerHens]

Thank you. They are fed an organic layer blend of grains that has oyster shells in it. I will try the extra shells on the side.