Layer vs all flock?

[Cierrascoop]

I have mostly laying hens with some bantam hens and pullets as well. I do also have two silkie bantam roosters however. With having oyster shell available all the time, what would be better for my flock? I heard layer can be bad for roosters, and I do not plan on switching them out every so many years as they are pets. So I was considering doing just all flock and keeping the oyster shell always available for my hens. Would this be most beneficial, for my flock, specifically?

 

[Cierrascoop]

I guess I should also add that I do have an older hen with a thin shell problem. She isn't a huge fan of the oyster shell. She hasn't had any break or anything. And at times shells are alright. But I do want what's best for her as well as my boys.

 

[TesoroSena]

I do layer for my flock of 3 silkies, 3 turkeys, 2 roosters, and 11 laying hens. They all seem to do fine, and my roosters are growing healthily with their feed. The only time i have been concerned about types like that is when i have chicks. What the main concern is for the protein. Silkies need a higher protein level to grow properly that normal hens do.

 

[Cierrascoop]

I do layer for my flock of 3 silkies, 3 turkeys, 2 roosters, and 11 laying hens. They all seem to do fine, and my roosters are growing healthily with their feed. The only time i have been concerned about types like that is when i have chicks. What the main concern is for the protein. Silkies need a higher protein level to grow properly that normal hens do.

Thats great information since I have four silkie hens and two silkie mixes. I had seen about calcium levels being too high for roosters which causes health issues? So it worried me a bit. I love my boys too. It took so long to find two good roosters lol

 

[saysfaa]

I have mostly laying hens with some bantam hens and pullets as well. I do also have two silkie bantam roosters however. With having oyster shell available all the time, what would be better for my flock? I heard layer can be bad for roosters, and I do not plan on switching them out every so many years as they are pets. So I was considering doing just all flock and keeping the oyster shell always available for my hens. Would this be most beneficial, for my flock, specifically?

Yes, other than you might try egg shells for the hen that doesn't like oyster shell. It might be hard to keep the other hens out of them, though, and just their own egg shells wouldn't be enough for them. If you had a source of more egg shells or could figure out a way to let just that one hen get to them, it would work.

Sadly (or maybe not sadly depending on your goals and timing and such), the damage to the roosters does not show in the live birds until much damage has been done. It also takes quite a lot of time for the damage to happen, so if he or they have been eating layer feed for a while there is not need to worry overmuch about it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I find that my ducks are super picky about oyster shell. They like flaked oyster shell, as opposed to crushed. You might try different brands to see if it makes a difference.

 

[Cierrascoop]

Yes, other than you might try egg shells for the hen that doesn't like oyster shell. It might be hard to keep the other hens out of them, though, and just their own egg shells wouldn't be enough for them. If you had a source of more egg shells or could figure out a way to let just that one hen get to them, it would work.

Sadly (or maybe not sadly depending on your goals and timing and such), the damage to the roosters does not show in the live birds until much damage has been done. It also takes quite a lot of time for the damage to happen, so if he or they have been eating layer feed for a while there is not need to worry overmuch about it.

I have only had my roosters for maybe a month and a half or so. What they have had previously though, I'm unsure of. I have given them crushed egg shells and she does like them. I recently switched to crushed oyster shells so it may be that it's new? I'm hoping so, anyway. If not I may try the flaked like mentioned below. My one rooster is roughly a year. My other is older. I think maybe four or so. It's hard finding a good balance for everyone. They also free range as well. My hens eggs are just so large and I do worry about one breaking before it exists her as she had blood on one a couple of weeks ago so I know it wasn't super easy to pass.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I stopped "stage feeding" years ago ... Now feed Flock Raiser (20%) with Oyster Shells in a separate dish. Have learned Flaked Oyster Shells are 100% that whereas Crushed (pebble type) is a combination of OS + sea shells/coral, my girls won't eat those.

As you have mentioned, layer has more calcium in for the hens (egg shells) but not good for the chicks and long term the Roos, although some will disagree ... I'd rather be safe than regret later. Besides Layer costs more.

Reason for my switching to FR is the protein, there is an article that I read & it made sense ... Takes alot of "energy" for a hen to produce an egg and feathers are "protein". I've had a hen plucking the others for their feathers, another reason I tried FR. During molt (for me) it hasn't caused a slow down in laying. It's been advised to give more protein during this time to help them thru molt.

We all have our own opinions, alot is trial & error and the knowledge shared on this website

 

[Folly's place]

Older hens may lay larger eggs with thin shells no matter what they are eating. I have two hens doing that now; fewer large eggs that often crack, so are unusable. Our old hens aren't removed from the flock, they get to stay as long as they are healthy.
Culling older birds improves egg production in the flock, a more budget friendly approach to flock management, but we just don't do it.
When I moved the oyster shell feeder next to the door, rather than in a back corner, it helped too.
Mary

 

[Cierrascoop]

Older hens may lay larger eggs with thin shells no matter what they are eating. I have two hens doing that now; fewer large eggs that often crack, so are unusable. Our old hens aren't removed from the flock, they get to stay as long as they are healthy.
Culling older birds improved egg production in the flock, a more budget friendly approach to flock management, but we just don't do it.
When I moved the oyster shell feeder next to the door, rather than in a back corner, it helped too.
Mary

Thank you Mary! My girls will live out their lives here as well. It's good to know that it may be the norm for her. As long as none are breaking before she lays them, I'm alright with that if we can't get the shells any thicker.