Crumbles question

[kaybats]

you go above and beyond viollett.....but why do you spend dollars on oyster shells....don't you partake of your own chook's egs....offer the eggshells, clean, dried and crushed. you will get better results.

 

[Ridgerunner]

you go above and beyond viollett.....but why do you spend dollars on oyster shells....don't you partake of your own chook's egs....offer the eggshells, clean, dried and crushed. you will get better results.

The egg shells make a good supplement for calcium, but if you are not providing another calcium source, it’s a losing proposition. The hen uses some of the calcium she eats for body maintenance. The 1% or so in feeds other than Layer will take care of that. But not all calcium they consume makes its way into their system to be used again. A lot of it is not digested at all but goes straight on through them and out the back end in the poop. That’s a good thing for compost, since many plants can use the calcium, but after a while they need more calcium than they can get just eating their eggs.

They need to eat more than one egg shell to get enough calcium for one egg shell.

 

[kaybats]

The egg shells make a good supplement for calcium, but if you are not providing another calcium source, it’s a losing proposition. The hen uses some of the calcium she eats for body maintenance. The 1% or so in feeds other than Layer will take care of that. But not all calcium they consume makes its way into their system to be used again. A lot of it is not digested at all but goes straight on through them and out the back end in the poop. That’s a good thing for compost, since many plants can use the calcium, but after a while they need more calcium than they can get just eating their eggs.

They need to eat more than one egg shell to get enough calcium for one egg shell.

good to know...thanks for the info

 

[Viollettt]

you go above and beyond viollett.....but why do you spend dollars on oyster shells....don't you partake of your own chook's egs....offer the eggshells, clean, dried and crushed. you will get better results.

Yes, of course, I do other things. I was just replying to the OP about her specific question concerning pellets and crumbles. My chickens get MUCH MORE than store bought feed. I get great results from the way I treat my chickens. I live and learn though so thanks. Oh and I don't clean and dry eggshells. I also have a life. I have a compost bucket that gets emptied once a day of whatever is left over from a myriad of things from my kitchen. I chuck the eggs shells in there as they come out of my hand. I also sell my eggs so not ALL of my egg shells stay here. I have many chickens and they need EXTRA good calcium to make MORE eggs. I don't have any type of soft shell problems. I don't really have much of any problems anymore since I keep adapting. I also have learned so much from BYC and the other wonderfully nice posters.

 

[kaybats]

Yes, of course, I do other things. I was just replying to the OP about her specific question concerning pellets and crumbles. My chickens get MUCH MORE than store bought feed. I get great results from the way I treat my chickens. I live and learn though so thanks. Oh and I don't clean and dry eggshells. I also have a life. I have a compost bucket that gets emptied once a day of whatever is left over from a myriad of things from my kitchen. I chuck the eggs shells in there as they come out of my hand. I also sell my eggs so not ALL of my egg shells stay here. I have many chickens and they need EXTRA good calcium to make MORE eggs. I don't have any type of soft shell problems. I don't really have much of any problems anymore since I keep adapting. I also have learned so much from BYC and the other wonderfully nice posters.

i think it's great that you can do so much for your girls. i also do everything i can for mine. i 'do' have the time, but not always the wherewithall to do what i want to do

. in the beginning, i bought oyster shells too, because i wanted only the best for my babies, until i came here and started learning more and more. after nearly three years...hardly an 'expert', of chicken keeping, i find myself learning something new just about every day. i found early on that oyster shells made my egg shells way too hard and after the first couple of bags quit using it. even in doing so, i have never once gotten a soft shell egg...i would probably freak if i did

.

as i have said regarding the op, everyone should do what is best for them and their chickens. i take some advice and some i leave alone. the point is to have healthy, happy chickens and do at least what is necessary to help them produce delicious nutritious eggs for us

 

[Going Quackers]

I actually prefer a crumble, i have tried pellets my chickens just don't like them, i did read in Storey's guide to chickens on the differing feed that a crumb gave the most interest due to the way chickens peck and search through food, it gave the most in way of distraction and foraging style.. i am roughly stating this i'd have to go back to read the word for word.

 

[kaybats]

I actually prefer a crumble, i have tried pellets my chickens just don't like them, i did read in Storey's guide to chickens on the differing feed that a crumb gave the most interest due to the way chickens peck and search through food, it gave the most in way of distraction and foraging style.. i am roughly stating this i'd have to go back to read the word for word.

pages 98-109........storey's guide.....