Calcium

[Dinunzi-1315]

Hello,
My hens are just about a year old now and laying daily but I was wondering if any of you suggest a calcium supplement of some sort during these winter months? They have free range to oyster shells and are getting a supplemented layer feed however one of my girls still has thin shells. There is a wide variety of supplements online but most say that it should be the only one fed and that too much calcium can harm them. Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[lazy gardener]

Since you are offering layer feed, AND offering free choice OS, your thin shell gal has an absorption issue. I suggest that you put her on a multivitamin, b/c calcium absorption is dependent on other vitamins.

 

[Dinunzi-1315]

Since you are offering layer feed, AND offering free choice OS, your thin shell gal has an absorption issue. I suggest that you put her on a multivitamin, b/c calcium absorption is dependent on other vitamins.

I have something called nutri-drench do you think that will help?

 

[lazy gardener]

Give it a try. PND is awesome stuff.

 

[Dinunzi-1315]

Give it a try. PND is awesome stuff.

I'm worried about the dosage my birds drink out of a 1 gallon bucket not any of the fancy waterers that are out there and according to the instructions I would have to put the whole bottle in everyday that or figure out which one of them is laying the weak eggs and catch her everyday to orally feed the supplement that does not sound like fun btw current temp here is 21 degreesF

 

[lazy gardener]

Simply mix it to the color of weak tea. give it 2 - 3 x/week. The important thing is that you not let it sit out for very long, as it grows bacteria.

 

[Dinunzi-1315]

Simply mix it to the color of weak tea. give it 2 - 3 x/week. The important thing is that you not let it sit out for very long, as it grows bacteria.

How long is too long a day? Would it be good to just put in overnight and then put in fresh in the morning? I've read that if it smells weird to them they wont drink it

 

[lazy gardener]

Where are you? If you're not in super hot weather, 24 hours will be fine. If you are around in the day, You may want to give them a shallow bowl of it, so you know they drink it all up, then give them their regular water.

 

[Dinunzi-1315]

Where are you? If you're not in super hot weather, 24 hours will be fine. If you are around in the day, You may want to give them a shallow bowl of it, so you know they drink it all up, then give them their regular water.

No very far from warm! Pennsylvania and rarely above freezing water is kept under a heatlamp however so it doesn't freeze and the birds are primarily inside the coop in this weather

 

[blackdog043]

Per the instructions on ND, your year old chickens need 0.25 fl oz per gallon of water. If I remember right, that's about 6 x 3/4 droppers full or 1 1/2 tsp. Your bottle should be 4.0 fl oz. When I gave mine ND, I put about 1/2 gal of water in this rubber dish, with 11 chickens and it was good for the day. next time just make a fresh batch.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/fortex-4-qt-rubber-feeder-pan?rfk=1