Besides oyster shell what else can I supplement?

[ThinkingChickens]

One of my girls, not sure which, has laid two shell less eggs this week. Now, it's probably the heat, but nonetheless, what can I feed to help with thicker shells. They aren't really eating the oyster shell so what is another option?

 

[HEChicken]

Are they on layer food? If so, they really should get most, if not all, of the calcium they need. Mine don't eat the oyster shell either, but they love crushed up egg shells. When I have mixed ages and feed flock raiser, I offer egg shells to supplement the layer's calcium. Once they are all of age and I can switch back to layer feed, I've noticed the consumption of egg shell goes way down, since the layer feed contains enough for them.

 

[Imp]

Here are some other sources of calcium. If they are young it might just be temporary.

1. Spinach & Swiss Chard
2. Salmon & Sardines (canned with bones)
3. Mustard, Collard, Kale & Turnip greens
4. Shellfish
5. Blackstrap molasses (can cause runny stools)
6. Corn Tortillas
7. Yogurt
8. Mozzarella & Cheddar cheese
9. Milk, Buttermilk (goat's milk and cow's milk)
10. Basil, thyme, dill seed, cinnamon, and peppermint leaves
11. Romaine lettuce
12. Rhubarb
13. Almonds, Peanuts & Brazil Nuts
14. Black Beans, Dried Beans (Cooked)
15. Sesame seeds
16. Fennel
17. Cabbage, Bok Choy, & Chinese cabbage
18. Summer squash
19. Green beans
20. Garlic
21. Tofu & Soybeans
22. Brussel sprouts & Broccoli
23. Oranges (Some people do not feed citrus to chickens)
24. Asparagus & Okra
25. Crimini mushrooms
26. Foods Fortified with Calcium: Some Orange Juice, Breads, & Cereals

and some info:

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

good luck

Imp

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Thank you Imp! No, they are on grower as they are integrated with 10 week olds and I was told that I had to switch them all to grower until the youngins were older. That probably is when the trouble started! I'll get some other items on the list and hopefully that will help. I'm trying to give them some more free ranging time too to help them stay cool.