Calcium?

[Mountain Peeps]

Hello everyone!

I have two 13 week old pullets and three adult hens all living together. I know that they are all supposed to be eating the chick feed and other stuff like that. My question is, all three of my adults are laying and they need calcium in order to do that but pullets aren't supposed to eat calcium until they are around 18 weeks. What should I do?

 

[smarsh]

offer a calcium suppliment (oyster shells), I don't know that the extra calcium in laying feed would hurt, the pullets are that young anymore.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

offer a calcium suppliment (oyster shells), I don't know that the extra calcium in laying feed would hurt, the pullets are that young anymore.

So your saying I can go ahead and put the extra calcium out and it won't hurt the pullets?

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

We have three 12 week olds with our six just-started- laying hens. We are giving starter/grower still with oyster shell on the side, in a higher container. Not very much is getting eaten... I'm guessing the layers are a little low on calcium but hoping they can hold out till around the time that the littles are 18 weeks for layer feed. So that's what we are doing...

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

Also, our local 4H chicken friend suggest slowly transition/ mixing starter and layer for a few months till they are completely on layer. I love that idea, especially for a mixed age flock like mine.

 

[Michael OShay]

So your saying I can go ahead and put the extra calcium out and it won't hurt the pullets?

Do not give calcium to your chickens before 18 weeks of age as it can permanently damage their kidneys, cause kidney stones, reduce their lifetime egg production, and shorten a their lifespan. Let them hold out until they reach the 18th week, then you can give them some crushed oyster shells.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Do not give calcium to your chickens before 18 weeks of age as it can permanently damage their kidneys, cause kidney stones, reduce their lifetime egg production, and shorten a their lifespan. Let them hold out until they reach the 18th week, then you can give them some crushed oyster shells.

That's what I thought so I guess my adult girls will have to wait.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

There is calcium in starter/ grower too, you know.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

Also, all of those links you posted on that other thread about a mixed flock suggested that oyster shell be on the side.

 

[Michael OShay]

There is calcium in starter/ grower too, you know.

Yes, but only very minimal (and safe) amounts.