Hello From Virginia

[Wintryamythyst]

Hi all ,
I have been wanting chickens for a few years now since I bought my first house on an acre in the Appalachian Mountains here in the south western part of Virginia. Moved here from the suburbs of Philadelphia so I know NOTHING about chickens.

Oh and I had 4 hens given to me just today. I was told 3 weeks ago the previous owners needed a home since they were going to Florida and luckily my father quickly built a custom chicken coop for me and I fenced in an area about 6ft. x 8ft. for them.

I have been reading posts from here scrambling to learn as much as I could in a short time. Thank You all for all the informative posts. I think I have everything set up pretty well thanks to it all Though I still have many questions

 

[loveourbirds]

from Ohio.

feel free to ask away, that (and just taking care of them) is how you learn.

 

[Wintryamythyst]

Thank you, The biggest question I have is, If you feed them laying pellets and scratch is giving them oyster shells still important?

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Glad to have you aboard.

 

[loveourbirds]

you should offer some source of calcium "free choice" to them. if they are getting plenty of green grass they usually wont eat much oyster shell. hens require alot of calcium to keep eggs covered, and for bone development.

most stores like TSC and Rural King carry oyster shell in small 5lb or so bags. for just a few chickens that will last you a while.

 

[AK Baha]

 

[All Henned Up]

Layer mash or pellets have plenty of calcium in it, you can supplement with some oyster shell if you want , but not absolutely necessary.
Welcome and enjoy from the Northern Neck, Virginia.
Steve.

 

[loveourbirds]

Layer mash or pellets have plenty of calcium in it, you can supplement with some oyster shell if you want , but not absolutely necessary.
Welcome and enjoy from the Northern Neck, Virginia.
Steve.

layer mash (corn type mix made by a feed mill, from a feed concentrate) usually does not contain enough calcium, most pellets are sufficient but a little low. if you notice thin shells then its time to add calcium.

keep in mind calcium can ruin fertility in roosters, thats why there usually isnt enough in the feed.

 

[Wintryamythyst]

Thank you, looking forward to this new experience !

 

[Wintryamythyst]

layer mash (corn type mix made by a feed mill, from a feed concentrate) usually does not contain enough calcium, most pellets are sufficient but a little low. if you notice thin shells then its time to add calcium.

keep in mind calcium can ruin fertility in roosters, thats why there usually isnt enough in the feed.

O.k. gotcha so I will need to buy some, but basically don't need to worry about them dying in the next week for not having any.