All flock feed

[Funnyfarm1995]

Thank you guys for all of your experiences, advice, and taking the time out of your day to help! I think we’re going to stick with what we have rather than shifting them to the lower protein with supplementation I was asking about. We did pop some oyster shell out for them now as well. Won’t mess with a good thing the girls are healthy as can be, as are the boys. Thank you again!

 

[lizo97]

Entropy.

There are no 100% efficient cycles in nature. Feeding your birds egg shells back to them won't repalce all the calcium they are using, not only for egg formation, but also for bone repair and other biological processes. That said, the 1% +/- Ca provided by the typical non "layer" formulation will address most of that - but oyster shell is cheap, and doesn't go bad. Its inexpensive insurance against Ca deficiency.

and I watch my birds to see who most want s egg shells. WHen they all ignore the shells, I know things are fine. When one bird gobbles them up while others express curiosity/ mild interest/ or ignore, I know I have a bird with a problem.

Just have to say, what you say is very true.

 

[Bawkbok]

and I watch my birds to see who most want s egg shells. WHen they all ignore the shells, I know things are fine. When one bird gobbles them up while others express curiosity/ mild interest/ or ignore, I know I have a bird with a problem.

So I have a question. Our Buff Orpington just started laying two weeks ago - she is 10 months age. She is a consistent daily layer with perfect shells in shape, texture and color uniformity. I noticed since she started laying, she consumes oyster shell every day. We are feeding an all flock 20% protein. No one else touches the oyster shells from what I've noticed. Reading this makes me believe there is a 'problem' or does she just need it for the ongoing production line of eggs?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

So I have a question. Our Buff Orpington just started laying two weeks ago - she is 10 months age. She is a consistent daily layer with perfect shells in shape, texture and color uniformity. I noticed since she started laying, she consumes oyster shell every day. We are feeding an all flock 20% protein. No one else touches the oyster shells from what I've noticed. Reading this makes me believe there is a 'problem' or does she just need it for the ongoing production line of eggs?

She is doing EXACTLY what she should be doing, an example of why so many of us recommend all flock plus separate calcium source.

All Flock is great for protein and AA balance, but only provides enough calcium (about 1.3% +/- typically) to support maintenance. Study and experience have shown, consistently, that chickens are VERY GOOD at self-regulating calcium intake - so we let them do so. Different hens will need differing amounts of calcium daily based on whether or not they are laying, how frequently they lay, and how large an egg they lay.

I suspect your other hens also consume some oyster shell , just less frequently and noticeably.

I keep oyster shell out for my own birds, and the ones running for egg shells in addition are the ones I keep an eye on.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Good question, BTW @Bawkbok

 

[Bawkbok]

She is doing EXACTLY what she should be doing, an example of why so many of us recommend all flock plus separate calcium source.

All Flock is great for protein and AA balance, but only provides enough calcium (about 1.3% +/- typically) to support maintenance. Study and experience have shown, consistently, that chickens are VERY GOOD at self-regulating calcium intake - so we let them do so. Different hens will need differing amounts of calcium daily based on whether or not they are laying, how frequently they lay, and how large an egg they lay.

I suspect your other hens also consume some oyster shell , just less frequently and noticeably.

I keep oyster shell out for my own birds, and the ones running for egg shells in addition are the ones I keep an eye on.

Thank you for this detailed response. It makes me feel better. She actually goes to the oyster shell before the feed in the morning, she is typically an early morning layer. Then I notice her eating more of it in the evening - I guess to 'gear up' for the morning lay.
I guess this would explain why I think our sickly RSL Comet who is a year old and has never laid an egg, bless her little chicken heart, never ever eats oyster shell - she simply doesn't need it since she is not a layer and probably never will be.
These birds are amazing to watch.

 

[Sally PB]

I have a feeder full of oyster shell and a dish of crushed egg shells out for my hens, along with their Kalmbach 20% Flock Maker feed. The oyster shell is probably not all OS, so maybe it has limestone in it too. They definitely like the eggshells better.

While they were on hiatus, I removed the eggshells and left just the OS. Eventually, they started to peck at the OS, and I knew that they were getting ready to start laying again, soon. After I started getting eggs, I put out the crushed eggshells. They are mostly ignoring the OS again.