my gals are not eating their oyster shells

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I would offer both (and you may have to try it both in one dish, or 2 separate dishes, and see how they react), mainly because oyster shell is a better source of calcium, but some chickens don't like to eat it, so some calcium in the form of eggshell is still better than nothing.

And glad to hear Rosie is doing better. I wouldn't worry about an occasional soft shell but when you start seeing them with more regularity, that's a concern.

Thanks Rosemarythyme, thats exactly what i did. We shall see. All we can do is try our very best. Stupid oyster shells are probably some crap they dont want because they dont look like something natural all super bright white and fake looking. I actually dont blame them for not eating them. Now, my next question; where do i find real oysters with real shells?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Stupid oyster shells are probably some crap they dont want because they dont look like something natural all super bright white and fake looking. I actually dont blame them for not eating them. Now, my next question; where do i find real oysters with real shells?

Not sure what brand of oyster shell you've been buying, but I've always used natural flaked/smashed shells. Can't get more natural than that. Currently using Small Pet Select, previously used Scratch & Peck but switched due to store inventory issues.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Not sure what brand of oyster shell you've been buying, but I've always used natural flaked/smashed shells. Can't get more natural than that. Currently using Small Pet Select, previously used Scratch & Peck but switched due to store inventory issues.

I use the manno pro i think. Its like pebbles. I am going to switch my oyster shell supplier. In the meantime, i am pleased rosie laid a normal egg. Although, it had a couple tiny, hard deposit formations or something. What causes that?!

 

[NatJ]

it had a couple tiny, hard deposit formations or something. What causes that?

Small, hard bumps on an eggshell are usually extra calcium.

Your hen probably has a minor glitch in regulating how much calcium goes in each eggshell, given that she had a softshell egg and now there's an egg with extra calcium on the shell. As long as there is no pattern of always having the same problem, you don't need to do anything. Just be sure that she has calcium available, and let her work out the details.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Small, hard bumps on an eggshell are usually extra calcium.

Your hen probably has a minor glitch in regulating how much calcium goes in each eggshell, given that she had a softshell egg and now there's an egg with extra calcium on the shell. As long as there is no pattern of always having the same problem, you don't need to do anything. Just be sure that she has calcium available, and let her work out the details.

NatJ, lovin' your style. Thank you kindly. I shall rename the chicken glitch!

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

NatJ, lovin' your style. Thank you kindly. I shall rename the chicken glitch! Heres a picture.

 

[Gsdmom87]

I do give them about 2 crushed egg shells a day thrown around the run but was considering crushing them and putting them in a free choice dish for them. Would that be too much? Also, i have never had any issue with my 5 gals eating their eggs, so an occasional egg tossed in the run, well, i'll take my chances i guess. Through the winter i was giving them scrambled eggs every other day. I was happy to see the soft egg giver - Rosie eating most of the egg. She was peckin' any gal that got too close too. Except her 2 friends Big and Delicious. They could stay. Patient took off with the shell and the rest is history. Today is a new day and my soft egg giver Rosie seems normal. I checked the camera late last night to see where she roosted and observed her droppings this AM. I think it was a fluke! So my question... If you read this far, lol, should i offer free choice crushed egg shells mixed with some oyster shells or just the egg shells free choice? I feel they eat the egg shells even if they dont need calcium just because they find them scattered in the run and they are super bright amongst the run material. Hey, thanks for your time. I always appreciate all of you and your input. Have a nice day and may your flocks thrive always!!

Those are pretty chickens, what are they?

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Those are pretty chickens, what are they?

Gold laced wyanottes. Lol, when someone says your chickens are pretty and i cant wait to share a dozen pics, lmao! Thanks Gsdmom87