Dumb question about grit

[Dhkoenig]

I have a bowl of grit and eggshells in my run - it is a big dog bowl and it is half oyster shell and half grit. I have never once seen them use it, and I can't tell if they do - it is always disheveled, has some cedar chips on it, but those could be kicked up from when they dig around the run - also, unlike most chickens, mine are clumsy (LOL) so it may be that they just tip it by accident. My question is, do they know it's there and go to use it instinctively and what it is? Or should I just be scattering it all over the bottom of the run so they can scratch for it? Thanks!

 

[sourland]

They know where it is, and will use it as necessary. Your chickens are not the only clumsy ones.

 

[riss]

I've noticed that with my flock too where it seemed like they just refused to eat it. I almost thought they were just picky eaters so what I ended up doing was sprinkling a little here and there in their actual food and just mixing it around so they get some it that way.

 

[DobieLover]

I have a bowl of grit and eggshells in my run - it is a big dog bowl and it is half oyster shell and half grit. I have never once seen them use it, and I can't tell if they do - it is always disheveled, has some cedar chips on it, but those could be kicked up from when they dig around the run - also, unlike most chickens, mine are clumsy (LOL) so it may be that they just tip it by accident. My question is, do they know it's there and go to use it instinctively and what it is? Or should I just be scattering it all over the bottom of the run so they can scratch for it? Thanks!

I'm sure they sample it.
Cedar chips? Cedar chips should be avoided around chickens.
I use old mixed nuts containers for dispensers and screw them into posts at a height where the birds heads are when standing.
This happens to be filled with crushed egg shells but I have another with other shell that is on a post at the entrance to the pen.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What are your egg shells like? Thin and weak or hard and strong? If your shells are hard and strong they are getting all the calcium they need.

Hens can get calcium from a lot of different sources. Some of that can come from what we feed them. Some plants have a fairly high calcium content. Some creepy crawlies provide calcium. You are fairly close to the sea, maybe your soil has a lot of shells in it. If your rock has a high calcium content like limestone they can get a lot of calcium from that. I grew up on a farm in the ridges of Appalachia. Our native rock was limestone. Dad never bought any calcium supplement and those shells were thick and hard.

If they are getting enough calcium from other sources your oyster shell and egg shells can last years. If they are getting grit from your soil your grit in that bowl may last years. Just because you offer it doesn't mean they have to eat it.

So, again, what are your egg shells like?

 

[Aapomp831]

I'm sure they sample it.
Cedar chips? Cedar chips should be avoided around chickens.
I use old mixed nuts containers for dispensers and screw them into posts at a height where the birds heads are when standing.
This happens to be filled with crushed egg shells but I have another with other shell that is on a post at the entrance to the pen.
View attachment 2583112

Cedar chips are fine for chickens.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

View attachment 2583112

love your dispenser

 

[Wolfie2]

I have a feeder made of 1 1/2" pvc pipe with about 8" total length for oyster shell for 12 hens. Holds about 2 lbs of OS They have been laying for about 6 months now. They have , just recently, eaten enough where I needed to refill it. Figure a 5 lb bag will last a year.. They do have access to an acre pasture.,