how much Oyster shells / baked egg shells

[Zwillingsmama]

4 of my 5 girls started laying 3 weeks ago, I feed them a scratch and peck layer feed but thought I should supplement calcium (their egg shell is ok but not super thick). I had collected a lot of eggs over the last few months, washed them, baked / sterilized them and crushed them into small bit. Yesterday I put a corner feeder with about 1-2 cups into their coop and today it is gone. My question - is there such thing as too much, do I need to worry about the chicken who is not laying yet, should I refill or wait. Thanks your input is appreciated.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I never use oyster shell if I use a layer feed. They can start having calcium deposits on the shell if there is too much calcium in their diet. Just monitor their eggs and keep doing what you’re doing. Always offer it free choice if you use it at all.

 

[WindingRoad]

4 of my 5 girls started laying 3 weeks ago, I feed them a scratch and peck layer feed but thought I should supplement calcium (their egg shell is ok but not super thick). I had collected a lot of eggs over the last few months, washed them, baked / sterilized them and crushed them into small bit. Yesterday I put a corner feeder with about 1-2 cups into their coop and today it is gone. My question - is there such thing as too much, do I need to worry about the chicken who is not laying yet, should I refill or wait. Thanks your input is appreciated.

I don't feed OS that way so I've no idea how much they would eat. I've heard that they know how much to eat so maybe they did eat a lot because they needed it and it sounds like they did if their egg shells are soft. I feed over the top of food a small amount. I don't know how much Ca++ is in my feed. My shells are hard but I thought they seemed a tad soft so I bought some OS the other day and am feeding it once a week. I'll monitor eggs and adjust. When I have about 10+ egg shells I smash them up and put in 350* oven on pizza pan for 5 mins. Watch closely because they will burn. And then I let them cool and sprinkle over food. I monitor my birds breakfast and supper so I know they are getting it. I only have 4 birds.

 

[WindingRoad]

I never use oyster shell if I use a layer feed. They can start having calcium deposits on the shell if there is too much calcium in their diet. Just monitor their eggs and keep doing what you’re doing. Always offer it free choice if you use it at all.

Do you think 2 cups of OS in 2 days for 5 birds is too much? I've no idea. I don't feed it that way because my birds won't eat it.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

They love egg shells, those disappear regardless of calcium "need" ime. I use a free choice "feeder" for calcium, I use natural "flaked" oyster shell (not the pulverized and formed) and mix egg shells into that when I have them.
I dont use layer feed, so the calcium need is stronger for my flock than one on layer

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Do you think 2 cups of OS in 2 days for 5 birds is too much? I've no idea. I don't feed it that way because my birds won't eat it.

They’ll eat what they need. If they are it all then that’s fine. Once it’s mixed with feed they just eat everything in sight. Better disposals than pigs.

 

[Folly's place]

Offer free choice oyster shell, and maybe some egg shells. Your birds may have needed that extra calcium right then, or just enjoyed a new thing once.
I have oyster shell in a separate feeder in the coop.
If you are feeding a whole grain type feed, or adding lots of goodies, you could have birds, or one bird, who's eating the yummy stuff and not everything, so having an unbalanced diet. Or, just a new pullet who's shell gland isn't totally functioning yet.
I like an all-flock feed rather than a layer feed, with the separate oyster shell, because it's actually better for big birds, and young growing birds, IMO.
Mary

 

[WindingRoad]

They’ll eat what they need. If they are it all then that’s fine. Once it’s mixed with feed they just eat everything in sight. Better disposals than pigs.

Ha I have picky birds. I put in OS yesterday breakfast and when I went out at noon time they had not eaten the OS. I put out beef stew a while back. Drained well as my birds won't eat mush. My BO and ISAB turned their beaks up to the stew. My 2 SLW ate like crazy but when I went out later they had only eaten the carrots, potatoes, and celery. Didn't eat the beef. I don't feed my chickens rabbit food either. They won't eat it any way. Won't eat peas, watermelon even the seeds. cucumbers nope, peach peels nope broccilli, nope oatmeal oh he** no. They do love Grape Nuts DRY. They don't eat yogurt. Pellets, scratch, and mealworms. Feed,eat and repeat.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Ha I have picked birds. I put in OS yesterday breakfast and when I went out at noon time they had not eaten the OS. I put out beef stew a while back. Drained well as my birds won't eat mush. My BO and ISAB turned their beaks up to the stew. My 2 SLW ate like crazy but when I went out later they had only eaten the carrots, potatoes, and celery. Didn't eat the beef. I don't feed my chickens rabbit food either. They won't eat it any way. Won't eat peas, watermelon even the seeds. cucumbers nope, peach peels nope broccilli, nope oatmeal oh he** no. They do love Grape Nuts DRY. They don't eat yogurt. Pellets, scratch, and mealworms. Feed,eat and repeat.

Apparently your chickens didn’t get the memo lol!

 

[WindingRoad]

They love egg shells, those disappear regardless of calcium "need" ime. I use a free choice "feeder" for calcium, I use natural "flaked" oyster shell (not the pulverized and formed) and mix egg shells into that when I have them.
I dont use layer feed, so the calcium need is stronger for my flock than one on layer
View attachment 1657432

That's a very nice set up. High enough to keep it clean. No scratching bedding etc into it.