Hens won't eat oyster shell

[CCCookie]

Mjavascript:insert_text('

',%20'');y hens (7) and one rooster refuse to eat oyster shell. What can I substitute, any ideas most welcome. Thanks, Kathy

PS: How do you guys get that cute little chicken on your posts? A real newbie here!

 

[digitS']

Your rooster has NO NEED to eat oyster shell. He won't be "making" a single eggshell . . . not one.

Keep in mind that layer feed should have enough of what a layer needs to produce eggs with good shells.

Some soils are naturally high in calcium. That's the primary ingredient for making an eggshell. The hens get enough calcium by eating things off the ground, eating grit, and eating dirt.

Unless the shells are soft - you probably don't need to worry about it. The hens should be good at self-regulating calcium as long as they have some available.

Steve
Smilies? Click "More Smilies" then the one of your choice

. That cute little chicken?

Edited to say: Oh, I see that you are in Seattle! Your soil doesn't have very much calcium in it, I suspect.

 

[CCCookie]

Thank you Steve!

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I offer it to mine in a hanging feeder. They eat so little of it I don't even keep up with how much, however they do eat it at times.

Marty

 

[Russo's Roost]

I had a simmilar situation, my Rooster was the first one to go to it, I laughed. He hasn't been back at it that I know of. I was told if you give them oyster shell you should also give them Apple Cider Vinegar at a rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon, the acidity helps with the assimilation of the oyster shell calcium carbonate. I give them fresh water in a 1 gallon waterer and the vinegar mixture in the chick waterer I used when I brought them home. Seems to be working out well so far.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Hens only eat or peck at oyster shell if they need it. I keep a dish out all the time and only have to re-plenish it every month or so.

 

[MkBorgen]

When I notice that they are laying soft or uneven eggs I add a little oyster shell to the feed don't need much just sprinkle and mix in. Otherwise eggs are a great substitute just cook some up I like to scramble them so they don't eat their own eggs in the laying boxes if they break one! Yogurt is another great one I just buy a large tub of the plain cheap stuff and they think its the best thing ever. For more ideas there is a list of foods on here somewhere but chickens love pretty much everything but feed them in moderation if they are not full of protein or you will then have problems with soft shelled eggs! Good luck

 

[chickenmommy16]

Mine won't eat oyster shells and i tried em disgusting but mmy hens are occasionally laying deformed eggs, the egg yolk was smooshed on the out side icky can anyone help me

 

[ChickenMammX4]

If they don't eat it, they probably don't need it. I wouldn't worry, they seem in instinctively know if they need it.

 

[Smmarques1]

I have similar issues going on. One hen that was laying on a regular basis has only laid one egg 2 weeks ago and it was soft. Tries everyday to lay, but she cannot. She is 8 months old. I had another hen lay an egg yesterday after days of trying and too was soft. I have oyster shells in their coop, I cook them eggs here and there, i have tried small amounts of yogart and nothing seems to help. They are not stressed and free range most of the day.