all about oyster shell

[Hennyhandler]

i know that you give oyster shell to the chickens when they start to lay but what if only one of the chickens is laying and the rest aren't yet though they should be close behind. should i go ahead and provide it for the one even though the others may eat it or wait until the majority of them are laying before i give it?

 

[Metanoia]

I'd offer it to all.
Mine were eating their shell grit before they were laying. It helps them digest grains and things too. In fact I offered it as soon as I got mine, they were point of lay when I bought them, and it is the first thing they went for, over the food! So I think they need that sort of thing to some extent.
I had mine 2 months before my first egg and they had access to shell grit all that time if they wanted it. (I'm assuming oyster shell is what I've been calling shell grit all my life)

 

[Fowl97]

i started feeding my pullets oyster shell before they started laying and my shells are hard. i put some oyster in the layer feed and some on the ground and they eat it. you should try.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I think you are fine to offer it for all. I've had really good luck with all nice hard shells too. I've had a bowl of oyster shells next to the layer feed since I switched to layer feed just as the first of 6 started to lay (some are 4 weeks younger). I also give yogurt once or twice / week.