Info on what to feed when/why?

[simmworksfamily]

When a pullet (female under a year old) first starts to lay it is not that unusual to get some really strange eggs. There are a lot of parts to her internal egg making factory and occasionally one has to work out the kinks to get it up and running just right. Most get it right to start with but a fair number need a few days. Don’t be concerned about that rubber egg.

Once they start to lay they need excess calcium for the egg shell. Layer feed has about 4% calcium and should provide all the calcium they need for egg shells if Layer is all you are feeding them. It’s not, you are giving them treats. So they probably need a calcium supplement. Oyster shell offered on the side is a standard though crushed egg shells help some. Just feeding them their egg shells back may be a losing proposition though. They need some calcium for body function and maintenance plus some calcium they eat is not absorbed by their body and goes straight on through and out the rear end. It doesn’t all go to shell. But if they are getting some calcium from another source egg shells may be enough.

The can sometimes get some extra calcium from certain plants they eat, creepy crawlies they eat, or if your native rock is limestone they can get some from that. If the egg shells are hard and thick you are doing OK whatever you are doing, they are getting calcium from somewhere. This is after that pullet has a chance to work the kinks out of her system. Don’t panic about that yet but it is still a good idea to offer oyster shell or some calcium supplement on the side, not mixed in with their feed. They are pretty good about self-regulating if you let them. The ones that need the calcium will usually eat enough and those that don’t need it leave it alone. If you mix it with their feed, how do you know how much they need? Just keep it simple, offer it on the side, and make them do the work.

Tums can be an emergency source but I would not use them regularly. One bite won’t kill them. It’s about how many total grams of calcium they eat from all sources each day, how much of that gets absorbed by their bodies, and how many days in a row they eat that much.

Good luck!

Huge help! Thank you.

I'll pick up some oyster shell tomorrow along with the layer feed and start adding oyster shells on the side. Should I have it right next to the food dish or away from it all together? Or does it not matter?

They have been amazing at taking care of any and all creepy crawlies and LOVED devouring my garden the one day they accidentally made their way to that part of the yard (kids didn't close the gate). They also enjoy the rose petals that are falling off the rose bushes down to where they like to lay during the day They defintiely snack throughout the day on things other than their food.

 

[roosterstrut]

It doesn't matter the chickens know when to eat the oyster shells they will sense when they are low on cal.

 

[roosterstrut]

You can have it next to or away from the feed I doesn't matter. Sorry didn't add that in my comment ^

 

[simmworksfamily]

Fabulous. Thank you!!

 

[roosterstrut]

Your welcome

 

[67drake]

Timely info for me too. I got my first 3 eggs yesterday,and have 12 pullets,all born May 1st..
So,let me get this strait. Since 9 are not laying yet- Keep feeding all of them starter food,but provide oyster shells on the side for the ones who are now laying,correct?
Thanks. Drake

Edit,geez you guys post fast,I think my question was answered while I typed the 1st post out.
Thanks for the info people.

 

[roosterstrut]

Yes your spot on Drake. good luck!