Crumble or pellet?

[AmyMon]

Thank you. For those who are saying all flock feed plus shells, what about their own shells dried, baked and crumbled? I’ve read about that from reputable sources and am willing to do that. Seems a waste to buy oyster shells and throw out their own shells.

 

[Percheron chick]

I always feed back the egg shells but don't waste the time to dry, bake and crumble. They go straight into the chicken bucket by the sink and about every other day I dump it in the run. I find the older hens still require additional calcium so I put OS out as well. When the geese are laying, they eat OS like candy

 

[Brooks_]

Thank you. For those who are saying all flock feed plus shells, what about their own shells dried, baked and crumbled? I’ve read about that from reputable sources and am willing to do that. Seems a waste to buy oyster shells and throw out their own shells.

It is unlikely that giving their shells back to them will provide enough calcium. They will eat them and like them but oyster shell is my recommendation for the bulk of calcium needs.

 

[Mr Spot]

On my flock I went straight from starter to flock raiser pellets, the hens were raking the starter out on the ground with their head and wasting it, since I went to the pellets, they eat it all and have eliminated the waste. I also have oyster shell and grit in free choice containers for them.

 

[SourRoses]

On Crumble vs Pellet it's really a matter of what meets your feeding goals for your birds in your setup.

People who choose Pellets like:
- Larger particles can mean less waste
- Challenge of eating them can slow down consumption

People who choose Crumble like:
- Easy to swallow bites suitable for all ages / abilities
- Birds can quickly eat their (temporary) fill, ensuring they get the nutrition they need regardless of place in the pecking order, ranging, weather, or other feeding disruptions.

For this last reason, we strongly prefer Crumble for our flock(s).
We've had poor consumption feeding pellets, and I really dislike worrying over some birds getting everything they need.
On the other hand, for birds confined in a pen, Pellets might provide a little more to do.

I suggest you try both to see what works for you.
Keep in mind, there are different sizes of Pellet as well as different consistencies of Crumble, depending on the brand and even the region it was manufactured in.

 

[Brooks_]

On Crumble vs Pellet it's really a matter of what meets your feeding goals for your birds in your setup.

People who choose Pellets like:
- Larger particles can mean less waste
- Challenge of eating them can slow down consumption

People who choose Crumble like:
- Easy to swallow bites suitable for all ages / abilities
- Birds can quickly eat their (temporary) fill, ensuring they get the nutrition they need regardless of place in the pecking order, ranging, weather, or other feeding disruptions.

For this last reason, we strongly prefer Crumble for our flock(s).
We've had poor consumption feeding pellets, and I really dislike worrying over some birds getting everything they need.
On the other hand, for birds confined in a pen, Pellets might provide a little more to do.

I suggest you try both to see what works for you.
Keep in mind, there are different sizes of Pellet as well as different consistencies of Crumble, depending on the brand and even the region it was manufactured in.

These are good points. Play around with the food. Find what works best for you and your flock. No otherwise healthy animal will starve itself in the presence of food. You have wiggle room.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thank you. For those who are saying all flock feed plus shells, what about their own shells dried, baked and crumbled? I’ve read about that from reputable sources and am willing to do that. Seems a waste to buy oyster shells and throw out their own shells.

Chickens need some calcium for body function, not all of the calcium they eat goes to the egg shells. Chickens do not digest all of the calcium they eat, some goes straight through and out the rear end. If their only source of calcium is their own egg shells they are on a downward spiral.

However, they can get calcium from several sources. Chicken feed always has some. They can get calcium from some of the plants they eat or some of the creepy crawlies they can catch. If your native rock is limestone or some other calcium-bearing rock they may get all they need from that. It does not all have to come from their feed or specific calcium supplements. Let your egg shells tell you how they are doing for calcium. If the egg shells are firm and thick enough they are getting enough calcium from somewhere.

I consider oyster shells regularly cheap. If they are getting enough calcium from other sources a bag of oyster shell might last years. It will not go bad with age. If they need it you may have to eventually buy another bag.

 

[K0k0shka]

The crumbles have the ingredients tossed in so the chickens can pick out what they prefer, leading to a potentially unbalanced diet.

That's not true. Maybe you meant to say scratch? Like others have already explained, pellets and crumble are the same thing, only difference is that one is crushed finer. They are both a uniform blend where you can't easily discern the different components, and the chickens eat the whole thing without picking and choosing between discernible components.

 

[K0k0shka]

I've never fed layer feed or oyster shell. I use Purina flock raiser, with crushed eggshell on the side, and my chickens are doing great! No soft shelled eggs or other problems. I feed their own eggshells back to them. I do buy eggs when the hens slow down and stop in winter, and collect the shells from the store-bought eggs, to replenish my stash. This ensures that the chickens always have enough calcium supply readily available without me having to resort to oyster to fill the gap (of some of their eggshells being used for other body functions and resulting in a net loss of calcium if you only ever feed them their own shells).

 

[Brooks_]

I've never fed layer feed or oyster shell. I use Purina flock raiser, with crushed eggshell on the side, and my chickens are doing great! No soft shelled eggs or other problems. I feed their own eggshells back to them. I do buy eggs when the hens slow down and stop in winter, and collect the shells from the store-bought eggs, to replenish my stash. This ensures that the chickens always have enough calcium supply readily available without me having to resort to oyster to fill the gap (of some of their eggshells being used for other body functions and resulting in a net loss of calcium if you only ever feed them their own shells).

What is your soil like? I have a lot of limerock I think the same as limestone just what we call it around here. The oyster shell goes mostly untouched, but still have a soft egg from time to time.