How much oyster shells?

[Fluffy_the_chicken]

I was planning to give my 14 hens oyster shells. How much should like a five or ten pound bag last?

 

[NatJ]

I was planning to give my 14 hens oyster shells. How much should like a five or ten pound bag last?

Probably several months at least, unless the chickens throw it on the floor and waste it.

 

[aart]

I buy a 50# bag for about $10, lasts a couple years.
I have about 15 birds too.
Put egg shells and oyster shells mixed in this:

 

[pennyJo1960]

Mine does not last that long maybe a year also used to cover bare ground on the front we have wirly gigs some big some small anyways also layed it there looks nice better than where only weeds grow

 

[Mrs. K]

Might depend on your soil, or climate, but mine lasts for YEARS... I do feed back eggshells, and I always have a pile of it out, but they seldom touch it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's a good question but unfortunately there isn't a good answer any better than "it depends". Hens need calcium for their egg shells. They can get calcium from chicken feed, plants they eat, and creepy crawlies they catch and eat. If your native rock is limestone they can get plenty of calcium from the rocks they eat for grit.

If they need it the seem to know it and eat offered oyster shell, If they don't need it they don't eat a lot of oyster shell. They may eat up a bag in a few months (depending on how many you have). Or a small bag may last years and never go bad.

 

[Sally PB]

I thought my chickens would go through a five pound bag quickly, so I bought two. I also give them egg shells, which they seem to prefer. I've barely made a dent in the first bag.

Ok, I'll take OS off my list of Christmas present requests.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Really depends. Are you feeding layer or something with lower calcium like all flock?

I go through about two 4-lb bags a year at this time, might increase now that I have new layers starting up. My flock is currently 7 hens 4 pullets.

 

[Fluffy_the_chicken]

Yea we just got a roo not to long ago so we’re just feeding them like the family flock thing.