do you keep a seperate coop?

[patandchickens]

Mrs. K :

Sooo if you ARE feeding layer feed, then you don't have to add the oyster shell?

IMO you should still offer oystershell or ground eggshell free-choice, even if you ARE feeding layer feed.

Reason being, layer feed is dosed for "most" hens' needs, and for their needs assuming they are eating absolutely nothing *but* layer feed.

Whereas some individual hens seem to have higher needs, and furthermore most BYCers are feeding other things too (scraps, weedings, treats, free-range, etc) which throws the whole equation off.

It costs nothing to provide free-choice ground eggshells, or practically nothign for free-choice oystershell. And it's not like there is any WORK involved. So, cheap insurance

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[rancher hicks]

I always grind up the egg shells and mix them with the grit of either kind.

 

[Tara Rose]

thanks all for the good information, when I first saw the thread I thought oh no I feed starter to everyone they like it. I also feed scratch grain and layer pellets, and table scraps. So I am going to cut out the undo spending and get some oyster shell. I wasn't feeding it or grit because I was told I don't need grit in Florida since the ground is mostly sand. But your right it doesn't cost but pennies and I can cut back from three barrels of feed to just the one. My girls have a nice hen house with run and free range of 4 acres all day. They get locked in at night for their protection. So this should be all they need.

 

[rancher hicks]

Not sure how much you read so .

The grit is good for forageing birds to help digestiion
I didn't want to feed layer to the young birds due to the added calcium.
I didn't want to feed "medicated" chick starter to the hens due to the medication getting in to the eggs.

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

Thanks everyone for the great info!
I may have to look around for feed since the selection at the local farm supply store is limited. Pretty much your options are chick starter, or layer mash in organic or cheaper non-organic. I don't even know if they have oyster shells or grit. Maybe they just keep it elsewhere.