calling any one from missouri

[mrballance]

The larger the calcium particles the better. Egg shells work but oyster is better. The large particles get lodged in the upper digestive tract longer and make contact with the calcium absorption sites in the small intestine at night while the birds are on the roost and when the egg is passing through the shell gland.
While larger than the pulverized calcium in layer feed, crushed egg shells are still pretty small compared to oyster shell.

Here is a good read on the topic.

http://www.nutrecocanada.com/docs/s...-formation-and-eggshell-quality-in-layers.pdf

Do u put in a bowl or how do u serve. I put egg shell with feed. Normally. But that's not gonna work in this application. I need to keep off floor so can't get dumped

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Whatever your calcium supplement, it can't be mixed with feed or the hens won't have a choice whether they eat it or not. It needs to be in a separate container.

Calcium and phosphorus are very closely related to each other and messing with that balance can have dire consequences. Chicken feed is formulated with the proper balance. Approximately 10:1 for layer feed, 2:1 for all other chickens. Deficiency or excess of one can interfere with the proper utilization of the other.
By adding a calcium source to the properly formulated feed, the disrupted balance of these minerals can result in pathological conditions including renal failure and development of gout.
Kidney damage always remains hidden until 24 hours before death with no symptoms. A hen can remain productive if there are still 2 of the 6 sections of kidney still functioning.

I keep a pint container of oyster shell by the water or feed with each flock. I sometimes add another container near the nest boxes. I usually have 2 cage cups side by side - one for oyster shell, one for grit and hang them on the side of the run wherever there is rain protection.

I use something like this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-pcs-Gray...005&rk=2&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=310895602632&rt=nc

 

[mrballance]

Whatever your calcium supplement, it can't be mixed with feed or the hens won't have a choice whether they eat it or not. It needs to be in a separate container.

Calcium and phosphorus are very closely related to each other and messing with that balance can have dire consequences. Chicken feed is formulated with the proper balance. Approximately 10:1 for layer feed, 2:1 for all other chickens. Deficiency or excess of one can interfere with the proper utilization of the other.
By adding a calcium source to the properly formulated feed, the disrupted balance of these minerals can result in pathological conditions including renal failure and development of gout. 
Kidney damage always remains hidden until 24 hours before death with no symptoms. A hen can remain productive if there are still 2 of the 6 sections of kidney still functioning.
 
I keep a pint container of oyster shell by the water or feed with each flock. I sometimes add another container near the nest boxes. I usually have 2 cage cups side by side - one for oyster shell, one for grit and hang them on the side of the run wherever there is rain protection.
 
I use something like this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-pcs-Gray...005&rk=2&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=310895602632&rt=nc

OK, CC I'm not buying anything to put oyster shell into. I'll screw a plastic container up in the coop next to the feed. I'm still going to use shells because I can't see throwing away a resource. I'll supliment with oyster shell. Thank You very much for your input

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I also use a lot of used cottage cheese and other similar plastic containers screwed to the walls. I just have a lot of pens and buying the pint containers in bulk is economical since they outlast the free ones by years.
I don't throw away egg shells either. They get crushed and put into the compost.

 

[mrballance]

I also use a lot of used cottage cheese and other similar plastic containers screwed to the walls. I just have a lot of pens and buying the pint containers in bulk is economical since they outlast the free ones by years.
I don't throw away egg shells either. They get crushed and put into the compost.

LOL, I'm a tightwad. Thank you for your help !!!!!!! No I REALLY mean it.

 

[mrballance]

LOL, I'm a tightwad. Thank you for your help !!!!!!! No I REALLY mean it.

CC, My family is from Rolla and I'm going to Cackle to p/u 4 chicks Thursday. I have five hens right now but will have to cull two this year, They are two . Rotate the hens so I get eggs in winter

 

[Lady K]

Thanks for the advice everyone, we really appreciate it

 

[alldembirds]

couldn't hardly believe that 81 degrees it made it yesterday in this corner of missouri... starting to really look like spring

 

[EdenCamp]

Don't get too cozy....rain coming in and cold front bringing freezing temps in Fri night.......

 

[mrballance]

B

Don't get too cozy....rain coming in and cold front bringing freezing temps in Fri night.......

but this weekend was garden planting time !!!