Calcium: is layena enough?

[jjdward]

I was told by lady at the feed store I go to that my chickens don't really need OS that the Layena would give them all the calicum they needed. The reason I bring this up is because I have gotten a few shell free eggs. My chickens are just starting to lay( 20 weeks old) and I have heard that this is pretty normal. I don't feed them OS gight now but do you think I should?

 

[spottedtail]

The lady may be right, but I always have free-choice shell avaible.

Why should us humans guess whether hens need more calcium or not?
I say let the hens decide. They know their requirements best.

Soft shells are common at commencement of laying.

spot

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I don't offer extra OS. I only considered it in the winter when they were locked in the coop for more than a few days. My feed store person said the same thing, that I didn't need more calcium with Layena. Mine also free range, so can eat anything that makes them happy. The diet I offer: Layena, whatever bugs and weeds they scrounge, and occasional scratch, corn, cabbage, fruit for treats/fun/getting them back in the coop when it's not their idea. Oh, and plenty of water.