We are new to BYC but have been reading the site for several weeks as my husband built our new coop/run (6 x 9) and we searched for laying hens. This site has answered a lot of questions and given us some very good advice. We finally got four beautiful hens from a local farmer on Friday. Two Rhode Island Reds and two Black Stars. They are settling in pretty good now. We already have three eggs which was a surprise because the farmer said they probably wouldn't lay for a couple of days. We are feeding them Nutrina laying crumbles 16% and giving them about a cup of scratch feed which has a little corn in it. I'm still not sure how much scratch feed to give them and if this is enough. My husband made a separate feeder that he nailed to the side of the run that holds the crushed Oyster shells. I read somewhere that instinctively they will take what they need. I welcome any recommendations or advice.
