calcium and mixed flock

[RobynD]

I have 9 girls. 2 that just started laying. 5 that are at least a month behind, 2 that may be longer before they lay.

I put out the ground chicken shells in a different feeder and they are all eating it like it's food! I'm assuming it's the new novelty of it! But should I wait to put it out until they are all laying? I thought they would only eat the eggs shells if they needed calcium...kind of like grit! I don't want to hurt the girls that aren't laying yet by allowing them to eat it!

 

[donrae]

I agree, I think it's a novelty thing. My roosters and young birds usually taste the oyster shell, sometimes they eat some, mostly they decide they just don't like it. It won't hurt to leave it there a few days and see how things go.

 

[RobynD]

Will it hurt the girls who aren't laying yet if they eat it?

 

[donrae]

I don't think they'll eat enough to hurt themselves. Most animals can handle a bolus of pretty much anything, it's more a long term intake that can cause issues.

 

[RobynD]

Wonderful. Thank you for your replies!