calcium in a mixed flock

[Chicken Soap with Nuts]

How do people give calcium if you have a mixed flocks, for example laying hens mixed with chicks and/or roosters? I know you don't give layer feed and some people put out oystershell, but in my experience, the hens won't touch oystershell. I've given RepCal supplements on treats before, but I don't think I could keep the chicks from eating the treats.

 

[DobieLover]

I've kept a mixed flock on Flock Raiser with two containers of oyster shell on the side with success for nearly 4 years.
Sometimes I'll get a pullet that doesn't get with the program so I do what I call a "calcium infusion" by mixing a handful of oyster shell with a large spoon full of Greek yogurt and putting little dollops of it all over the place. Everyone goes for it but the roosters generally tidbit it for the hens. I'll then put a small dollop of yogurt directly on the oyster shell in the containers. I'll do this 2 or 3 times in a week until I see that all eggs are normal. That's when I know all the girls are eating the oyster shell.

 

[LaFleche]

How do people give calcium if you have a mixed flocks, for example laying hens mixed with chicks and/or roosters? I know you don't give layer feed and some people put out oystershell, but in my experience, the hens won't touch oystershell. I've given RepCal supplements on treats before, but I don't think I could keep the chicks from eating the treats.

In addition to the crushed oyster shell, I give them their own well dried and crushed egg shells back and they love it.

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

I give oyster shell always available and also feed back crushed dried eggshells. Mine will eat it. Sometimes they eat a lot more than other times, but my eggs are always fine. Are you having weak egg shell issues? If not perhaps your hens just don't need the extra right now.

 

[Ridgerunner]

in my experience, the hens won't touch oystershell.

How were the egg shells when they wouldn't touch the oyster shell? Chickens can get calcium from some plants they eat (probably not enough but some), from certain creepy crawlies, and even rocks if you have limestone or other calcium bearing rocks. Before they were domesticated feral chickens did not go extinct when they had to find enough calcium for egg shells in their environment.

If the egg shells are fine even when they ignore the oyster shells they are finding enough calcium from something else.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

In addition to the crushed oyster shell, I give them their own well dried and crushed egg shells back and they love it.

My light brahma actually prefers the egg shells to the oyster shell and won't touch the oyster anymore, so I have to be sure she snobby self always has a supply of egg shells, lol

 

[Auntiejessi3]

My light brahma actually prefers the egg shells to the oyster shell and won't touch the oyster anymore, so I have to be sure she snobby self always has a supply of egg shells, lol

I'm telling you she is a stuck-up heifer