Do I have to give oyster shell?

[mtnranchroo]

I would never ever feed my hens egg shells no matter how finely the shells are ground up. I did that once and had nothing but problems with the hens pecking their eggs. I had to get rid of the whole bunch and start over.

 

[jprinc44]

I leave oyster shell out free choice for my birds, they will go through a rabbit feeder full of it in about 3 days. I have always heard they need the calcium to replenish what their body uses for the shells. If it keeps them happy, so be it, they will get it. Janet

 

[andehens]

Quote:
yep, and its a cheap happy!

 

[cherig22]

But what if you want to hatch the eggs? Mine are pretty thick, wouldn't it be harder for the chick to pip?

Cheri

 

[andehens]

Quote:
That is a very interesting question! Did you try asking it on incubating and hatching?

 

[digitS']

I understand that this is a possibility, Cheri.

The folks over there (as Andehens suggests) will know more about it than me but I understand that you can lower the "hatchability" of the eggs by feeding too much calcium.

Nothing much I need to worry about but I just came across it.

Steve

 

[Montana-Hens]

I give my ladies free choice in a crock oyster shell. I know that the food is suppose to have enough, but b/c they do so much free ranging I figure if they want/need it it is there.

In the summer when they free range and there is lots to eat, they seem to eat lots of it. During the winter when the free range dinner is slim pickin's and they eat more store bought food them seem to eat less.

I figure as long as it is out their body will tell them what they need. So far healthy chickens and no thin egg shells.

 

[cmom]

Probably the feeds they have today do provide all the nutrition that the birds need. When I was quite young I only remember my parents and grandparents spredding grain out for the chickens. I couldn't even tell you what it was and I can't ask them as they're not with us any more.
Chickens do not have teeth. Their food goes, as is, into the crop, where it is slowly funneled into a very small " stomach" for some digestive additives--then to the Gizzard, where it is 'chewed', that is, ground into material that can be digested as it moves into the intestines and so on. The Gizzard is best able to break down whole grains and other chunky bits that they eat when full of grit. Longest lasting grit is Granite, that lasts well. All other rock and stone is so much softer, that it wears down fast and that is why granite grit is best choice, works really well for best utilization of feeds. My baby chicks are given free choice and they choose it with pleasure, baby grit is fine Granite, as soon as they are given anything besides Starter Crumbles. Their tiny gizzards are at optimum function at an early age.
Oyster shells can act as grit to an extent, but young birds who are not laying should not have oyster shell. Grit that is usually granite grit, does the job much better than oyster shell, which really isn't that hard. Grit grinds the Oyster Shell. While the gizzard is an amazingly strong organ, the Grit is a part of its function. Also, if they free range they will eat dirt for grit, but I always have a dish of granite grit and a dish of oyster shells near their food.
Mine have access 24/7 to their food and water. I give them treats of scratch, (oats, whole sunflower seeds, once in awhile wild bird seed, cracked corn etc.), in small quanities as these are treats. I also give them vegies, fruits, most everything that I can grow. I do grow a lot of corn and watermelon especially, also tomatoes, squash, root crops, the list can go on. I feed them everything except potatoes. I figure they will eat what they want. I do free range them. I make sure they have plenty of grit and oyster shells. For chicks, if Ican't find chick grit for the chicks, I take regular granite grit and smash it.

Actually with all the vegies and scraps plus free ranging them, they still eat their layer, and I do see them in their grit and oyster shell dishes too. My girls are healthy and happy.
Sorry this turned out so lenghly.

 

[the1much]

ive never given my hens oyster shells,, with the food mix i give,, and ALL the food scraps,, theres NO way they need it,, and our eggs are HARD,, i was afraid some were TOO hard for the chick,,, but they got out.

 

[Splash_Guard]

Feeding raw egg shells (with membrane) is usually what promotes egg pecking. I wash out the egg shells, bake them @ 250 degrees for 20 minutes, crunch them up and feed for calcium supplement.