Feed store is out of oyster shell. Need calcium alternative for the next week

[FowlWitch]

I had to order shell online and it won't arrive for a week. I can feed the hens back their egg shells, but I'm not sure I have enough available for them. What else can I offer them? Would crushed Tums be okay as a temporary fix?

 

[Newchickenguy84]

Are the egg shells thin right now? If not they could go for a while with out the shells. If your water is like mine, I have a lot of calcium in my water.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Assuming you haven't had any shell issues they'll do fine without supplementing until your new bag gets there.

 

[Fishkeeper]

They'll be fine without, yeah. I'd offer eggshell in case they want it, still, but that shouldn't be a problem.

I really would not feed them Tums.

 

[FowlWitch]

Are the egg shells thin right now? If not they could go for a while with out the shells. If your water is like mine, I have a lot of calcium in my water.

I have girl with thin shells because she always lays 2 eggs at a time. The first egg is fine but the second egg is poorly shelled. They do have layer feed, but I'm trying to make sure her system isn't strained.

 

[R2elk]

I have girl with thin shells because she always lays 2 eggs at a time. The first egg is fine but the second egg is poorly shelled. They do have layer feed, but I'm trying to make sure her system isn't strained.

Crushed limestone works the same as oyster shell.

 

[FowlWitch]

Crushed limestone works the same as oyster shell.

I'd probably have to go hunt that down somewhere. I live in a somewhat isolated area, so driving around to find things is kind of a pain lol sorry. I can get some plain chalk at the grocery store. Would dissolving that in water and offering it separately from their primary water source be okay?

 

[R2elk]

I'd probably have to go hunt that down somewhere. I live in a somewhat isolated area, so driving around to find things is kind of a pain lol sorry. I can get some plain chalk at the grocery store. Would dissolving that in water and offering it separately from their primary water source be okay?

Some of the feed stores carry crushed limestone listed as grit. It cannot substitute for grit but works fine as a substitute for oyster shell.

Chalk is calcium carbonate. Just crush some up and offer it free choice.

Hens on layer feed often can get by without supplemental oyster shell. If one has a tendency to soft shell eggs, it can have as much to do with low vitamin D levels as anything else. In your case it is most likely due to laying eggs in too short of a time span.

 

[FowlWitch]

Some of the feed stores carry crushed limestone listed as grit. It cannot substitute for grit but works fine as a substitute for oyster shell.

Chalk is calcium carbonate. Just crush some up and offer it free choice.

Hens on layer feed often can get by without supplemental oyster shell. If one has a tendency to soft shell eggs, it can have as much to do with low vitamin D levels as anything else. In your case it is most likely due to laying eggs in too short of a time span.

I have them on layer feed. She had oyster grit yesterday and laid an egg with almost no shell - it was so thin it crushed under my figer tips when I picked it up. I'm hopeful all she needs is vitamin D, otherwise I have a suspicion she may have some kind of issue with her reproductive organs

 

[chickens really]

Well if she is a new layer don't really worry. Her egg machine is a bit wonky..Definitely you can wait for the shipment of oyster shell.