/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Calcium vs oyster shell ??

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by halfpynt, Aug 13, 2007.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Aug 13, 2007 #1
    halfpynt

    halfpynt Out Of The Brooder

    17
    0
    32
    Apr 19, 2007
    Hi,,,
    we are new to raising chickens,, our girls were born in April,, and should be about to start laying soon. We bought our next bag of food, and got layer to mix with their grower that they are on right now. I also bought a bag of calcium chips ,, and am not sure how to mix that in ,, or if i put it in some other dish on its own, seperate from their food.

    Which is better > Oyster shells or Calcium chips ? The woman at the local feed store told me they both do the same thing ,, and since the calcium was so much cheaper , i opted for that .
    ANy would help is appreciated ! thanks !
     
  3. Aug 13, 2007 #2
    MayberrySaint

    MayberrySaint Chillin' Out

    994
    4
    161
    Mar 7, 2007
    Mount Airy, NC
    I had to get calcium chips instead of oyster shell and my girls have not touched it in 2 weeks. I have it in a separate hopper. Today I added some eggshells to the hopper and it looked like they ate it up. I'm afraid the calcium chips look too big for the pullets to easily eat and digest. Just my opinion though...would love to hear others opinions.
     
  5. Aug 14, 2007 #3
    polychickens

    polychickens Out Of The Brooder

    95
    0
    39
    Apr 23, 2007
    I started with a seperate bowl of OS in the coop. It doesn't get eaten very quickly so it sits much longer than feed. As a result, eventually it was on the floor. I scooped it up and threw it in the run and I plan to add another handful directly to the run when they clean up the first.

    I can see that 50 lb bag lasting a LONG time with my 40 chickens.

    Polychickens
     
  7. Aug 14, 2007 #4
    silkiechicken

    silkiechicken Staff PhD Premium Member

    21,500
    179
    393
    Jan 25, 2007
    Everett WA/Corvallis OR
    Never heard of calcium chips. My supply is of oyster shell from like 50 years ago. My grandpa used to raise chickens for production when they first got the land and I found a huge pile of the stuff in one of the collapsed barns. No barns left now... I do have to say though, the old oyster shells are about 4x larger than the new oyster shell that I've seen in the stores now!! Maybe they haven't figured out that it is good to eat?
     
  9. Aug 14, 2007 #5
    bigzio

    bigzio Overrun With Chickens

    4,600
    115
    291
    Jan 20, 2007
    Wisconsin
    Hens will only consume the oyster shell or calcium chips if they need it. Most hens start to need it after they have been laying awhile. Providing it free choice is the way to go. When the hens need the additional calcium ( which they will ) it is there for them. It will amaze you how much they eat when their body is telling them they need it. Right now being pullets and not stressed from laying, the need isn't there, but it will be. Good Luck....

    bigzio
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by