how do you feed a chicken??

[cafarmgirl]

Okay,,,,,,,I am confused. Which is alright because I am always confused. So here are my questions.

(1). Oyster shells - Do you mix the shells with the feed or feed separately? Do you keep the shells away from the Rooster?

(2). Feed - What is the difference between Scratch and Laying feed?

When I was a child (a long time ago) my grandfather would have me spread the feed on the ground or in the Coop depending on the weather. He said that the chickens needed to have dirt and gravel to digest their food. Oyster shells or Laying feed were never talked about, that I can remember. We always had good eggs. What has changed? Just asking. Thank you. Ps, I like the idea of using the used egg shells.

Feed the oyster shell in a separate dish, they'll take what they need. The less mixing you do the less sorting and wasting the birds will do. Don't worry about keeping it away from the rooster. Roosters don't need it and therefore don't seem to have any interest in it.

Scratch is a mix of grains including cracked corn, wheat, milo and maybe some other things depending who makes it. It is best used sparingly as a treat. Layer feed is a balanced, complete feed in pellet or crumble form and is what laying hens should be eating the most of.

Chickens do need grit to digest their food. Either what they can find when they are out foraging or supplied by you.

What has changed between now and "the old days"? More knowledge of poultry nutrition = healthier birds and better production.

 

[Liberty For All]

Thank you very much for your help and fast reply. What are your thoughts on reusing the eggs shell in place of the Oyster Shells?

 

[Liberty For All]

Thank you for your fast reply and comment. Very helpful. What are your thoughts on feeding the egg shells instead of Oyster Shells?

 

[Liberty For All]

Sorry for the double post. I thought I lost my second one. Still learning.

 

[Chris09]

Thank you for your fast reply and comment. Very helpful. What are your thoughts on feeding the egg shells instead of Oyster Shells?

Egg shells should never replace oyster shells.
Some people say you can but they don't keep two main things in mind, one it will take at least 2 egg shells to replace the amount of calcium that one hen looses to lay 1 egg and the other thing is that the particle size of the calcium that the shell is made up from is a small particle size and that small particle size doesn't make good egg shells.

On the other hand oyster shells are a large particle size and will produce a far better egg shell.

 

[Liberty For All]

Thank you both for your replies. You have been very helpful. I am learning everyday with the help from people like you and this site.

 

[Liberty For All]

Next Wednesday I am buying 10 baby Australorp's. When do I first start adding Oyster shells in their feed? Please don't laugh to hard. I am absolutely new to this. lol I am assuming after they start laying, but just want to be sure.
Any other advice will be welcomed with open arms. Thank you.

 

[azygous]

Pullets and laying hens don't need calcium until they actually lay their first egg. In fact, it can be detrimental to their development to do so, and that includes feeding layer pellets or crumbles.

You are very, very wise to seek this information before you get those pullets!

 

[Liberty For All]

Thank you azygous and thank you for the compliment. I have never been told that I was wise, nice to hear.

 

[Heidi65]

Liberty for All, I know exactly how you feel! I just joined last night but have reading this site like crazy for almost the past 2 weeks when we bought our baby girls. There is so much to learn and figure out!

Heidi