calcium

[4133mary9788]

I dry their eggshells either by my wood stove or in the summer sun and then smash them up very small and give them some every day. Should I also give them oyster shells?

 

[Percheron chick]

Depends on the quality of the egg shells. If they are thin and crack too easily, give them something more. If they aren't cleaning up the egg shells, they are telling you that they don't need more.

 

[Folly's place]

If you are feeding a layer feed, it's well endowed with calcium, and things should be fine. If you are feeding an all flock type diet, oyster shell on the side is always best, in addition to any egg shells. Very tiny pieces of egg shell aren't available to the hen when she's making the shell, so very high producing hens do need another calcium source. Mary