How do you dispense oyster shell - hen's first egg is double/softshell

[Chickee's Mom]

In all the years I've had chickens I have mixed grit and oyster shell in with there food. Never heard not to. My eggs have been fine and never had a sick chick....touch wood.

 

[FluffyChickenMama]

Quote:
OK - I have one of those rabbit feeders. I wasn't sure if I could use it since the holes are too big. I will try the shelf paper/hot glue idea.

Am I wrong that the oyster shell shouldn't be mixed with the food? I thought I read that too much mixed in the food can cause kidney problems. I am so confused now. I have my college edumacation, but this chicken thing is stretching my brain a lot.

I have an article (sorry couldnt link it) that says to much calcium can and will slowly kill your birds from buildup in the kidneys of either to much protein or calcium otherwise called gout. The article is in the Sept/Oct 2007 issue of Countryside & Small Stock Journal. Very informative.

 

[silkiechicken]

I just have a brick with a large hole in the center that I fill with shell. It sits outside and they go take a nibble when ever they feel like, they go though maybe a cup every two or three weeks. Mine don't eat that much of it and since I've started giving it out, they don't eat egg shells as feverishly.