Mesh,Grit and Shell

[Chris09]

When I use to feed a mash (finely milled feed) I would dampen it with water.
Mash feed is best offered damp and in a trough type feeder.
not my pictures
http://im.edirectory.co.uk/p/4819/i/25907.jpg
http://media.photobucket.com/image/chicken trough feeder/BobBifter/cid-BB47714C06A311DA993EBE3.jpg

I never have/have to offer grit because I use a all purpose sand in the runs/ pens and the sand acts the same as grit.

As far as offering oyster shells if you are feeding a good layer feed you shouldn't have a problem with soft shells...
( The other thing is if they take in too much extra calcium then it knocks off the calcium/ Vitamin D ratio and you will have to supplement Vitamin D to help break down the extra calcium so that they can use it)....

Chris

 

[brwneggs]

So far they are doing great. Bright eyes, shine to their feathers. Happy, cooing. Good girls. And the rooster, is the protecter and warning alarm. Love 'em all!

 

[brwneggs]

Our bag is really really powdery.

A.T. Hagan :

Really rough and bumpy.

If it's mostly bits of shell and only a little powder it won't be a problem. The birds will pick around it if they don't need it. It's when there is a lot of powder mixed into the feed they need to eat that it can potentially be a problem. This last bag of shell I bought is as much powder as bits of shell. Usually not as bad as that.​

 

[brwneggs]

I baked bread today, and I do it on corn meal. Than I made some soy milk, and had the left over okara from the soy beans. And I have a small pan of powdery shell left from their feeder. I mixed those all together with some water, threw in some more corn meal. My goodness they ever go after it! Yesterday and today they got watermelon.
Can you tell I spoil and love my chickens? Yes!!