Layer feed mixed with oyster shells ratios

[patman75]

For those who mix their layer feed and oyster shell together what ratio of feed to oyster shells do you use? I'm allways dealing with shoft shells and thin shells. My chickens dont eat the oyster shells I leave out for them so I started mixing the feed and oyster shells and it seems to have helped. But I'm not sure how much to oyster shells to mix into the feed.

Thanks for the help!

 

[gsim]

I have not yet tried free-choice of calcium for mine. I just sprinkle a small small handful on top of their trough which is 3 ft long. Ditto for grit, but only every other day. Another way is to recycle the egg shells by crunching/grinding to consistency of fine sand. The egg shells will contain trace minerals from the very ground the chooks walk on and shell-based calcium will contain different trace minerals as found in sea water. I suspect both are good. Am thinking of adding extra fine crushed shells to my own diet, both for the calcium and for all of the trace minerals.

Of course, If I begin to bob my head as I walk, peck at my food, or poop in the yard as I move about out there, I might have to re-think that!

 

[Preservation Acres]

I tried doing that, but it didn't work out for me. They ended up eating the feed and leaving their OS so their feed was eventually burried in shell. Free choice OS works best for me.

With that being said, best of luck to you. If it works out, I'd like to know your strategy.

 

[Chicken Chat]

Mine would have none of the oyster shells free choice. I started mixing them into their feed and they have no problems eating it that way, but I buy the crumble instead of the pellets so it really just blends right in. I don't really follow a ratio, just eye ball it. I use a large scoop to fill up a 5 pound bucket to carry their feed, it usually holds 2 and 1/2 scoops. I scoop, throw a handfull of oyster shells in, then another scoop, and another handfull of shells, and then mix. The egg shells are nice and firm now, I haven't had a broken one in the nest box since I started adding it directly to their feed.

 

[chookchick]

That's really weird that they won't touch the free-choice oyster shell. Could it be that it is too fine? I know mine won't touch the powder that falls to the bottom, they want round little pieces they can pick up. Are you feeding a layer with calcium already? Maybe they don't feel they need any more...

 

[patman75]

I have tried 3 different brands of oyster shells each one has a slightly different consistancy. They would just spill most of it in the tractor and now they just ignore it or must likely too stupid to eat some in the winter coop.

I got tired of making treats and mixing calcium every time. I guess I will will throw some in and when thier shells get thicker I will cut back.

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

I just put some in and mix it around, i dont measure it

 

[felidaet]

I don't mix mine. Oyster Shell and Grit are fed free choice. They eat it as needed. I don't have thin egg shells.

 

[jhm47]

Another thing that works well for me is to mix some milk with their mash. Make it the consistency of ketchup, they will love it, and the calcium from the milk is very easily absorbed. It also works well for broilers that might get weak legs from growing too fast. Sour milk works too.