Do I need to seperate?

[Amira]

I saw a hen in the box laying. I waited near the coop for her to be done so I could get the egg out before my broody got to it. Well, my broody beat me to it. She must have went over to it within seconds of it being layed. How do they get the eggs over to the nesting box they are using? I wish I could catch her in the act. Anyways, the good news is she brought the unfertile egg to her instead of abandoning the fertile eggs again. Hopefully she will figure it all out.

 

[Amira]

My broody hen has been doing well sitting on the fertile eggs. They should be hatching at the end of the week.
I am heading to the feed store soon. I will take the layer feed out of the coop and switch to a starter/grower. The baby chicks will be with my small flock of 1 yr old hens.
My question is about oyster shell. I was going to leave it out like I do now as free choice for my layers. However now I am wondering about calcium toxicity if the new baby chicks get into. Should I take it out next week and just try to offer some to the older hens when they are out roaming the yard? Or do free ranging birds have enough access to calcium in nature?

 

[Pork Pie]

If you can suspend the oyster shell in a feeder above the ground then the chicks cannot access it.

Ct

 

[Amira]

Of course! Thank you Ct! You've been very helpful these 21 days! I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

 

[Pork Pie]

You are most welcome