Calcium for mama with chicks?

[kimberley848]

My broody hatched and is raising 4 chicks, almost 4 wks old now; and she laid her first egg yesterday since originally going broody. Do I provide her with calcium, even though she shares EVERYTHING with the babies? I'm concerned she'll spill it, thus sharing it with the babies... is this something I should be concerned about? Thanks!

 

[featheredplanets]

You could give her fine oyster shell, I doubt they’ll eat it whether it’s standard or fine though. My hens only ever ate a small amount of oyster shell per week, not enough to entice chicks into eating it

 

[lazy gardener]

Just give her normal sized oyster shell. While she may offer it to her chicks, they'll not eat enough to be a problem.

 

[centrarchid]

If she lays only enough eggs to make a clutch before starting another broody cycle, then no supplemental calcium needed. The combination of a typical diet and her calcium stores are enough to complete a clutch. I reserve use of layer diets / supplemental calcium for hens in continuous lay where eggs are produced almost daily for months on end.

 

[chickens really]

Have you introduced them to the flock yet?..Generally if the Hen begins to lay she will also wean her Chicks. It's easier to integrate Chicks that are still protected by Momma.