I am also of the "if they need it, they will eat it" crowd. We free range our chickens every afternoon starting about 3:00 in the afternoon. We lose maybe one bird a year to predators, if that (good Sheltie!). We offer oyster shell and grit in separate containers, and they definitely make good use of both, especially the OS. We feed an all-flock feed. Right now we have 12-week old mixed chicks coming up (pullets and cockerels) and an established flock of 18 hens and a rooster. Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy your flock!
