crushed oyster shells to course?

[KathyR]

Hi,
I bought some crushed oyster shells today. My EEs just started laying and one laid a soft shell egg 2x. I almost did not buy it because it is very course, some pieces looked to be over 1/4 inch in diameter. I have some 5 1/2 month old crested polish that are still not very large and worried about this being a problem for them.
(to those who may have seen my post about the chick with sour crop, the oyster shells were purchased after the problem arose.)

Also, I have seen a couple of my chicks eating feathers off the floor. Is this a sign they are lacking something in their diet? the chicks have been getting Agway brand grower/finisher and just recently swithed to layer feed.

thanks
Kathy

 

[LegHorn-BusHorn]

Sounds to me they are lacking protien. My chicks are around the same age and haven't had any problem with soft shell. I feed them black oiled sunflower seeds as an additional treat. I am thinking about getting oysters shells for a treat too. I am no expert though.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

From what I understand, oyster shell is not a treat it is a necessity. They eat bigger things than 1/4". I would like to think they would be fine eating that. If your hen just started laying, it is normal for her to have several soft shelled eggs. If if does continue then yes, they are lacking something in their diet.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I agree, they should be fine eating the oyster shells. I get probably the same type for my quail. I do have to sift out the bigger pieces for the button quail, but for the coturnix I just dump it in there. If it is too big they just don't eat it.

 

[KathyR]

Thanks for the replies! What about the feather eating?
Kathy

 

[purpletree23]

If they are eating feathers they are low on protein. Give them cooled scrambled egg mixed with cottage cheese. Looks horrible but loaded with protein. Give a tablespoon per day per chicken for at least a week. You can also use dried cat food. Not dog food. Cat food gets it's protein from meat and dog food usually gets it's protein from grains. Look for a cat food with low salt content and depending on how many chickens you have give a handful or less every day for a while. 5 or 6 pieces per day per bird should do.

Check your feed. What is the content of the protein? Are you using the proper kind?

 

[KathyR]

Can you tell me what % of protien they should have? As far as I know it is the proper food. Can anyone tell me what one of the better foods are on the market that will not cost a fortune?
Kathy
P.S.
I just went to the Agway website. They had been getting the grower-14.5 % protien, and just recently swithed to the layer-16%. I slowly switched them over to the layer and yesterday was the first day the got just the layer.