Finicky chickens

[Byrd gal]

My girls eat purina layer feed. They absolutely refuse to eat crushed oyster shells. I stopped egg shells thinking they would eat the oyster shells but it has been a month and they refuse. I broke down and gave them the egg shells today and it was chaotic they fought over it. Now what can I use to supplement their diet? I am worried they are going to have health issues. I am willing to buy whatever they need.

 

[Cecisflock]

Purina layer has calcium in it, maybe they just know what they need? have you tried other kinds of oyster shells?

 

[JamieOnion]

With that feed it says no suppliment is needed. It covers all needs. It has oyster shells mixed in.

 

[Byrd gal]

Well I feel much better knowing that. Will it hurt them to snack on eggshells? They love them but I won't give them any if it will cause problems. Tough love!

 

[Cecisflock]

Well I feel much better knowing that. Will it hurt them to snack on eggshells? They love them but I won't give them any if it will cause problems. Tough love!

No! it won't hurt them! they love them because of the EXTRA calcium, hens are always trying to build up calcium stores!

 

[Byrd gal]

I guess I am toasting the rest of the easter egg shells.Tomorrow the girls will be happy to see me. Thank you for the advice. I would have alot less chickens if it wasn't for all the good people here.

 

[MountainWoman73]

I just found out that black soldier fly larvae (sold at the feed store) are also a good calcium source. My hens don't seem to eat much oyster shell either.

 

[Byrd gal]

Wow thanks I will order some I wouldn't think a bug would be high in calcium but that's cool. How much do you feed them? Do you think they will fill up on cicadas this year? I am in the zone. I hope they don't gorge themselves and skip the feed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you're feeding layer feed and offering egg shells, they should be getting enough calcium in most cases as the layer feed already will have somewhere around 4% calcium, plus the eggshells will provide some as well for the chickens that want it. Oyster shell would be more necessary of a supplement if you were feeding grower or all flock for example, which has lower calcium.

 

[Byrd gal]

If you're feeding layer feed and offering egg shells, they should be getting enough calcium in most cases as the layer feed already will have somewhere around 4% calcium, plus the eggshells will provide some as well for the chickens that want it. Oyster shell would be more necessary of a supplement if you were feeding grower or all flock for example, which has lower calcium.

I will leave the oyster shells in the feed room but offer the egg shells too. I just switched to purina they were eating dumor layer feed.