How to serve up crushed oyster shell

[Yankeechick]

Hi All,
I purchased crushed oyster shell for my hens because I heard it is good for layers. How am I supposed to give it to them? Mixed in their feed? In a chick feeder? Like scratch?
There's not a ton of it so I don't want to waste it. I can't find it around here, so I bought it while on vacation in New Hampshire this summer.

 

[silkiechicken]

I just put it in a hole in a brick outside and they pick at it when ever they want some. Best thing would be to put it in a rabbit hopper so they can get it when they feel like it.

 

[TransplantedTexan]

I would say in thier feed, that's what I do, or in a seperate feeder. Either way they will eat it at will, as much as they need. They kinda self regulate. I would not throw it out like scratch. I think that way alot would get wasted.

 

[silkiechicken]

I personally don't put it in the feed because I have roosters and they don't need it... sometimes they just gobble down food so I figure if it's not mixed in, less chance of them snatching them up on accident.

 

[Yankeechick]

Thanks - all very helpful. I only have 3 hens so I think I will put it in the little chick feeder I used to give the chicks the starter feed in when they were small.

 

[mudhen]

check it out, I made these feeders for grit and oyster shell, so they can get what they want when they want:

 

[mdbucks]

Mud hen- is your feeder the same style? I have bins(gravity feed)that all 3 match. I like yours though. How big of a pipe to feed 40 birds??? Knowing my luck one would decide to roost on the pipe and break it.

 

[Yankeechick]

Mudhen, that is very cool. I think DH could build it too!
Hmmm......

 

[chickenwrangler]

Mudhen, that is very cool. What a great idea.

 

[speckledhen]

It is a good idea, mudhen. I use one of the small galvanized rabbit feeders hanging on the coop wall. Mine do eat out of it because I see them do it, but it takes awhile before its empty. They don't need to eat that much of it, so it isn't like feed that empties fast. Mine contains a mixture of oyster shell and crushed eggshells.