Do chickens need oyster shells?

[wyoDreamer]

People will tell you that layer feed it made to have enough calcium and you don't need to offer anything on the side. However, the amount of calcium in layer feed is based on the average amount that an average chicken will need. For example, they study 100 chickens and calculate the amount of calcium that each chicken uses, then averages it and say that is the amount that a chicken needs. However, there are some chickens who use more, some who use less - that is why they take an average.
I was getting a number of soft shell eggs from my first flock of chickens. I feed layer feed and thought that would be good enough. When I added a dish of oyster shell to their coop, within 2 weeks the soft shell eggs were no more. 3 years later and I am still on the same bag of oyster shell, so they really didn't need much more calcium, but some did need more and ate what they needed.
Having oyster shell on the side is especially important if you have roosters in the flock. If you have roosters, you should be feeding an all-flock so there isn't too much calcium for the boys. With oysters shell on the side, the ladies can pick up extra calcium as they need it.

 

[CIuck]

People will tell you that layer feed it made to have enough calcium and you don't need to offer anything on the side. However, the amount of calcium in layer feed is based on the average amount that an average chicken will need. For example, they study 100 chickens and calculate the amount of calcium that each chicken uses, then averages it and say that is the amount that a chicken needs. However, there are some chickens who use more, some who use less - that is why they take an average.
I was getting a number of soft shell eggs from my first flock of chickens. I feed layer feed and thought that would be good enough. When I added a dish of oyster shell to their coop, within 2 weeks the soft shell eggs were no more. 3 years later and I am still on the same bag of oyster shell, so they really didn't need much more calcium, but some did need more and ate what they needed.
Having oyster shell on the side is especially important if you have roosters in the flock. If you have roosters, you should be feeding an all-flock so there isn't too much calcium for the boys. With oysters shell on the side, the ladies can pick up extra calcium as they need it.

My shells were hard so I am hoping that is a good sign!

 

[Devyn Nagy]

You don't want to feed oyster shell until the are laying, or else they will overload on calcium.

Oh, okay. Good to know. Thanks.

 

[Weeg]

Oh, okay. Good to know. Thanks.

No problem! I almost fed my chickens oyster shell early once, and right before I did, I read on another thread that it was bad for them, I was like "WHAT!" Gladly I didn't feed it. Welcome to BYC, even though you've been here for three months!

 

[The Happster]

If it's only for a day or two, it's fine.
They won't take the OS unless they need it.
And if you find you can't get any for some time, feed their eggshell back to them.

 

[CIuck]

People will tell you that layer feed it made to have enough calcium and you don't need to offer anything on the side. However, the amount of calcium in layer feed is based on the average amount that an average chicken will need. For example, they study 100 chickens and calculate the amount of calcium that each chicken uses, then averages it and say that is the amount that a chicken needs. However, there are some chickens who use more, some who use less - that is why they take an average.
I was getting a number of soft shell eggs from my first flock of chickens. I feed layer feed and thought that would be good enough. When I added a dish of oyster shell to their coop, within 2 weeks the soft shell eggs were no more. 3 years later and I am still on the same bag of oyster shell, so they really didn't need much more calcium, but some did need more and ate what they needed.
Having oyster shell on the side is especially important if you have roosters in the flock. If you have roosters, you should be feeding an all-flock so there isn't too much calcium for the boys. With oysters shell on the side, the ladies can pick up extra calcium as they need it.

Can I feed it to them even if not all of them are laying?

 

[wyoDreamer]

Since you are putting it in bowl free-choice, the ones not laying are not going to take any. They seem to know when they need it and when they don't.

 

[Sonya9]

Layer feed already has a very high amount of calcium (and cheap protein which is why it usually costs less than other types of feed).

If they are on layer they do NOT need oyster shells. Most people do not give them layer feed and therefore need to offer oyster shell for layers. Since roosters or hens that do not lay everyday should not be force fed too much calcium, and the protein level/sources is better in other types most go with something else.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they are on layer they do NOT need oyster shells. Most people do not give them layer feed and therefore need to offer oyster shell for layers.

Even if they are on layer feed, some birds seem to require more calcium than others, so safest bet is to still offer it on the side for those who want/need it.

 

[Cindy in PA]

My layers went ate oyster shell regularly when they were on layer feed, hence the reason to put it out regardless of what feed they are on. Egg shells are fine, but do not stay in their system as long as OS.