Limit to amount of oyster shell?

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Please do not limit their oyster shell - they need the calcium BEFORE they start laying or else the calcium will be pulled from their bodies (bones and muscle) - this sets your laying flock up for possible problems in the future. Let them decide how much they need.



I do NOT feed layer feed - to me that forces a quantity of calcium into their bodies. I like a 20% protein feed and free choice oyster shells (I feed the same feed from hatch until death).


They maybe eating it all, or they maybe looking for pieces that are the right size for them. I would offer a larger bowl - I have 3 bowls for oyster shells around our place (one in the coop, one in the run and one out in our yard - all hold over a gallon of oyster shells and I refill weekly or more often).



Do you offer grit also? If not you need to offer a bowl of grit free choice also.

 

[viktoriacl]

Ok I did hear they could get the shell before they started laying. So I guess Ill just buy more. I do already have a 50lb bag of layer feed. Maybe I should limit their shell availability while I am giving them that? So confusing! I am going to offer more greens. I know I have been slacking in this area. They are in a run with a dirt floor. I think it has plenty of stones in it of a variety of sizes. My chickens must be part pig. They always have food available. They eat tons of that and drink a lot and are thrilled with almost any treat I give them.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
Your birds might also be bored in their run. Stop at the feedstore and ask what they do with broken bales or hay sweepings (when they clean up) - see if you can purchase (or be given) some - give your girls a half flake to a flake a day in their run. You can rake it up into a pile in the morning and they will enjoy digging/scratching thru it all day.

 

[Chris09]

I never offer any extra Calcium to and bird that is not laying.
Too much Calcium to a non-laying bird can lead to kidney issues weather it be a chick, growing stock, roosters or a non-laying hen.
Too much calcium can interfere with vitamin D and Phosphorous absorption. If the 2:1 calcium/phosphorous ratio is wrong, bones can become brittle, thicken or break.

If you are feeding a complete feed you do not need to supplement Calcium at all till they are laying.
I will also add that as laying hen gets older she will need to have some extra Calcium in here diet.

Calcium -
Calcium is a very important part of a mature hens health, and laying eggs. Egg shells are almost completely made of calcium. Along with Vitamin D, calcium is a vital part of the egg laying process. If the calcium intake of your hens is not adequate, you can have problems with the consistency of their laying, and soft egg shells. High levels of calcium can cause problems too. Young fowl, and roosters typically don't need an extra source of calcium, and too much can be harmful to them. It is best not to feed a layer type feed to all your fowl for this reason. You are better off to give them a normal type feed, without added calcium, and provide a free choice source of calcium for them, like oyster shells, so the birds that need it for laying eggs, have access, but the birds that don't, won't have to eat the extra calcium that they don't need.
Information from Ultimate Fowl

Phosphorus -
Phosphorus is needed for healthy bones, energy metabolism, and acid base balance in the body.
Information from Ultimate Fowl

Calcium and Phosphorus Inbalances -
A deficiency of either calcium or phosphorus in the diet of young growing birds results in abnormal bone development even when the diet contains adequate vitamin D3. This condition, rickets, can also be caused by a dietary deficiency of vitamin D3 (Vitamin D3 Deficiency), which is necessary for absorption of calcium. A deficiency of either calcium or phosphorus results in lack of normal skeletal calcification. Rickets is seen mainly in growing birds. Calcium deficiency in adult laying hens usually results in reduced shell quality and osteoporosis. This depletion of bone structure causes a disorder commonly referred to as “cage layer fatigue.” When calcium is mobilized from bone to overcome a dietary deficiency, the cortical bone erodes and is unable to support the weight of the hen.
Information from The Merck Veterinary Manual

Vitamin D -
Vitamin D is produced naturally in the body when exposed to the ultra violet rays from the sun, and its main function is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium, and phosphorus. Lack of vitamin D can cause soft egg shells, and brittle, or thin bones in fowl. Vitamin D also helps keep your birds immune system strong, and can affect their over all growth, and development. Extreme cases of vitamin D deficiency can even lead to diseases like Rickets.
Information from Ultimate Fowl

Chris

 

[Morgan7782]

Chris thank you for the information, x2 to what above post says.

 

[greenSearcher]

The only time my girls scarfed down on oyster shell was when it was so hot that they panted all day long. I remember reading that when they pant they lose calcium in their exhaled breath. Anyway, since it cooled down the oyster shell no longer needs refilling but once a week or so.

 

[catdaddy66]

I had my first eggs this week and the shells are VERY firm despite my not giving them any oyster shell. For a special treat yesterday I mixed up approximately equal parts grit, oyster shell, cracked corn and BOSS!! About 2/3 or a cup of each for 12 hens. Today I found the container empty! What good girls they are...

I am wondering how often to treat them this way- weekly, bi weekly or monthly?

 

[gryeyes]

Keep the oyster shell out all the time, free choice, not mixed with anything.

They'll take it as they need it.

 

[mdbokc]

From Nutrena...

* Birds allowed to forage will consume less feed.
* Grit should be provided at 1 to 2 lbs. per 100 birds at least once per week.
* Oyster shell or ground limestone must be offered to laying birds.
* Don't let feeders run empty.
* Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

People do things differently. Generally, however, I think many switch to layer feed at 18 weeks (Purina recommendation - not necessarily THE way to do things) and give oyster shell at the point of first lay. Also, when I first put out oyster shell, they gobbled it up like an exciting new treat. Now, it takes them a bit to finish the dish.