Calcium in a flock of silkies from chicks to adults

[parmacrafter]

I tried searching and either I am searching with the wrong terms or I just am not seeing it. I have a flock with 2 silkie roosters and 4 silkie hens. 1 of the hens and 1 rooster are actually babies from 1 of the older hens. My broody hen (somehow only 1 of the original 3 ever goes broody) has a batch of 9 chicks that are now coming up on 7 weeks old. My issue is that 1 (maybe 2) of my hens have recently started laying soft shelled eggs. Because there are babies and they are all together I have been feeding just chick feed to everyone. I am fairly certain this is causing a calcium deficit in the older hens. Is it safe for me to offer calcium in a separate dish for the older girls even with the chicks having access to it? They all get along amazingly by allowing them to all stay together from the get go. I know I could separate them but I REALLY hate that whole having to integrate birds into an existing flock.

 

[nuthatched]

Yes, absolutely provide oyster shells for your girls. the younger girls likely won't Pau any attention to it.

 

[TooCheep]

OK. Going to give you a slightly roundabout answer for background..

* Chick/grower feed is a high protein (20-22%), low calcium (~1%) feed. Generally crumble form (important for chicks).
* Layer feed generally a low protein (16-18%), high calcium (~4%) feed. Generally pellet form.
* All-flock feed is a high protein (20-22%), low calcium (~1%) feed. Generally pellet form.
(You may find some feed that deviate from these ranges, but those are general numbers).

High protein is valuable for growth, feather growth (both initial and after molts) and overall health. All chickens benefit from it. High calcium is needed to support egg laying. It can be damaging over time if given to non-egg layers.

Fortunately, chickens that need calcium will be attracted to it, much like humans and animals are attracted to salt when needed. Others may peck a little but won't show much interest.

Many of us have dropped layer feed all-together and go from chick/grower feed directly to all-flock for the rest of their lives. We then serve calcium on-the-side only. Those that have the need will be attracted to it.

Calcium generally comes in commercial form (oyster shell) or egg shell. I allow my used eggs to air dry and then crumble them. I then feed them back with some oyster shell and some egg shell. Some girls will have a preference.