Do you mix oyster shell in with the feed, or do you offer it separate?

[wordgirl]

We just bought our first bag of oyster shell yesterday, and I'm wondering how to give it to them. Which way is best? The bag suggests mixing it in with the feed, but I always thought you fed it separate.

 

[vnploveschickens]

I use a separate dish for the oyster shell. My girls eat it when they need to.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I mix it right in and everyone tells me about how strong our shells are! I use an old Mr. Coffee scoop and add one to every feed scoop I put in the feeder. The feed scoop holds about a quart or so of crumbles.

HTH

Rusty

 

[wombat]

We put it in a separate container.

 

[RedStarDaddy]

I have mine in a hanging 3-pound Little Giant feeder.

RSD

 

[TarzantheChickenMan]

i use a double rabbit feeder for grit and oyster shell offered free choice
i found the if i mix it in the birds pull it out and throw it on the ground

 

[fldiver97]

I have a small wallfeeder for grit and one for oyster shell....that way they can get what they need. The instructions on the bag say to mix it in their feed but layer feed already has some calcium in it.....They know when they need more and pick at it. Also, not all my chickens are laying yet. 2 are not even close (hatched August) but they are also not integrated with the others yet and are on grower feed.

 

[Mahonri]

I mix mine in.

No soft shells now.

 

[NonnasBabies]

I put mine in a seperate container. I use one of those round galvanized trays I found in the pet section at wal mart and put grit & oyster shells in it. Let them decide when they want it.

Missi

 

[VA from WV]

I mix it in. I found that when I offered it free choice, they'd knock the pan/feeder/delivery system of choice all over and it would end up on the ground. Mixed with the food, they dump the bigger pieces sometimes, but we're wasting less than the other way.