How much oyster shells should I give them?

[nugget2000]

Hello,

I have 2 Buff Orpingtons that are now about 19 weeks old, and 5 Jersey Giants that are around 14 weeks. One of the Orpintons started laying 1.5 weeks ago, and lays small eggs almost everyday. Since the others have not started laying, I have not changed their food to layers and give the one a handfull of oyster shells mixed with yogurt each day instead. My question is if thats enough calcium, or how much she needs. Also do you have any tips on other ways I can supply her with enough calcium with out dangering the others?

Thanks for the help

 

[junebuggena]

Just put the oyster shell in a dish and leave it in the run. Top it off when it starts running low. Let your hens regulate their intake. They know what they need better than you do.

 

[nugget2000]

okay thanks I'm just worried that the little ones will start eating it and get kidney problems. Will they know not to?

 

[junebuggena]

They might pick at it, but they won't eat enough to do harm.

 

[nugget2000]

They might pick at it, but they won't eat enough to do harm.

Thanks! I'll try that

 

[Blooie]

As usual Junebuggena is spot on. I offer oyster shell free choice - just fill up a container and when it's empty I refill it. Yep, some of the chicks ate it, and nope, none of them keeled over with kidney issues. They really don't eat it if they don't need it, although if a chick sees a hen eating something you can bet your egg nest that it'll go over and have to sample some! I also feed chopped up hard boiled eggs with the shells at least once a week, and the chicks dive into that too. Because I had a mixed flock - hens, pullets, cockerels, and chicks, I fed an All Flock food which doesn't have all the extra calcium that the roos and chicks didn't need. So the oyster shell/hard boiled eggs with shells on supplement was pretty important for the layers.

 

[nugget2000]

Thank you so much for the help I will do that.