Are They Eating Too Much Calcium?

[rosemarythyme]

WOW! This was a very well presented discussion. I have only four adult girls and based on this thread, I've been giving them way to much in the line of treats. I have two auto feeders which contain 17% complete layer feed. And then every day, I provide two pie pans with about two total cups of treats between them, which consist of chopped lettuce, dry cat food, corn and meal worm scratch, sunflower seeds and sprinkle red pepper flakes and dyed and ground up egg shells over the top. Plus a hanging 3" long corn cob. Every day they are let out in a large enclosure and then locked up every evening. We live in the high desert and the ground vegetation is sparse, but there is some which they spend there days in. There are still enjoying dirt baths every day even is our cold winter weather. My main concern in looking into this thread was the amount of calcium which we are feeding them, but I have now come away with a concern that I have been providing two many treats. I would value any advise or suggestions. Thank much.

For 4 birds something like 1 Tbsp total a day would be what my flock could expect from me. I dole it out as a reward for returning to the run when I call for it. Of course they'd enjoy having much more than that. But they don't need it, and too many treats can unfortunately lead to fat chickens: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ts-story-please-dont-overfeed-treats.1593329/

Did you say you were dying eggshells? Or did you mean dried/drying?

 

[FrostRanger]

WOW! This was a very well presented discussion. I have only four adult girls and based on this thread, I've been giving them way to much in the line of treats. I have two auto feeders which contain 17% complete layer feed. And then every day, I provide two pie pans with about two total cups of treats between them, which consist of chopped lettuce, dry cat food, corn and meal worm scratch, sunflower seeds and sprinkle red pepper flakes and dyed and ground up egg shells over the top. Plus a hanging 3" long corn cob. Every day they are let out in a large enclosure and then locked up every evening. We live in the high desert and the ground vegetation is sparse, but there is some which they spend there days in. There are still enjoying dirt baths every day even is our cold winter weather. My main concern in looking into this thread was the amount of calcium which we are feeding them, but I have now come away with a concern that I have been providing two many treats. I would value any advise or suggestions. Thank much.

That is definitely way way too many treats. Treats should be less than 10% of their diet. If you want a healthy way to treat them, ferment some of their feed and give them some of that every day. They'll go nuts for it and it won't throw off their diet 'cause it's just their normal feed and water. There also may be addional health benefits too but your mileage may vary

 

[HensJoy]

Sorry for the "typo". I did mean dried egg shells. Then ground fine. I'm coming away from this discussion thinking that they should be added in a separate dish instead of placed on the food. My problem is they are my girls and I want to "treat" them well. (Just kidding, kind of) I will go with your suggestions. As far as the fermented feed. Please give me a little more details.

 

[NatJ]

If you want a healthy way to treat them, ferment some of their feed and give them some of that every day. They'll go nuts for it and it won't throw off their diet 'cause it's just their normal feed and water. There also may be addional health benefits too but your mileage may vary

Or you can just add water to some of their feed, and not let it sit long enough to ferment. That is quicker and easier, and the chickens seem to love it that way too.

I agree, a "treat" that is the usual feed plus water is a great way to have the fun of giving something special, but without throwing off their diet.

 

[FrostRanger]

Sorry for the "typo". I did mean dried egg shells. Then ground fine. I'm coming away from this discussion thinking that they should be added in a separate dish instead of placed on the food. My problem is they are my girls and I want to "treat" them well. (Just kidding, kind of) I will go with your suggestions. As far as the fermented feed. Please give me a little more details.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/fermenting-chicken-feed-a-straightforward-method.75967/ For 4 birds though I'd go with a pint jar rather than a 5 gallon bucket especially if it's just a treat, and yes a wet mash works too if you don't want to ferment

 

[Mother of Chaos]

WOW! This was a very well presented discussion. I have only four adult girls and based on this thread, I've been giving them way to much in the line of treats. I have two auto feeders which contain 17% complete layer feed. And then every day, I provide two pie pans with about two total cups of treats between them, which consist of chopped lettuce, dry cat food, corn and meal worm scratch, sunflower seeds and sprinkle red pepper flakes and dyed and ground up egg shells over the top. Plus a hanging 3" long corn cob. Every day they are let out in a large enclosure and then locked up every evening. We live in the high desert and the ground vegetation is sparse, but there is some which they spend there days in. There are still enjoying dirt baths every day even is our cold winter weather. My main concern in looking into this thread was the amount of calcium which we are feeding them, but I have now come away with a concern that I have been providing two many treats. I would value any advise or suggestions. Thank much.

Whoa, yeah, two pie pans a day divided among four chickens is a lot! I’ll bet they love you, though!

They might benefit from the extra protein (the mealworms, although mealworms are also high in fat), but I’d cut the corn back to once a week. They probably appreciate the greenery in the winter, when forage is hard to find. Mine have fallen in love with uncooked turnip greens. They may even be getting less calcium than you think, because it’s very likely that they’re eating less of their 17% balanced feed, preferring to fill up on snacks. (Human version: “We’re eating dinner in a half hour! You’ll spoil your appetite!”)