Do I need oyster shells in my ladies diets??

[BarredRock4]

My girls get Purina layer feed. My question is, do they also need some oyster shells for them to have a complete diet?

 

[Just2ducky]

Free choice oyster shell is always good for layers.

 

[Blooie]

x2 Free choice oyster shell is always a good idea. They'll take no more than they need, and if the rest of their diet is healthy you'll find a bag of OS goes a long, long way! I also hard boil and crush extra eggs (shells and all) for them. They love that, and the added protein and calcium is good too. As long as the eggs are hard cooked and crushed so they aren't recognizable as eggs I have had no problem with them eating fresh eggs from the nests. Personally I don't believe there is all that much calcium in the egg shells, but it makes the lady in the mirror happy to think she's doing something nice for them.

 

[BarredRock4]

Girls love scrambled eggs

 

[bigt447]

If the layer feed makes up at least 90% of their diet they should have no need for additional calcium.....but it won't hurt and may be needed if they are free ranging and eating more than 10% of their food with unknown calcium content.