New to chickens with 3 hens. What do I need to be offering in terms of vitimens/supplements?

[JessWebb]

My laying hens have been with me for 10 days. I offer them organic layer feed and free choice oyster shell. I refresh water daily. They also get "treats" daily (vegetables/fruits/meats/greens from the garden). I have heard a lot on this site about apple cider vinegar, omega-3s and vitamins/supplements etc. etc. What do I NEED to be giving them to support every day health vrs. what are just personal choices/preferences to offer the hens?

 

[Folly's place]

You can totally mess up their diet by oversupplimenting. It's not difficult to feed them well; balance quality layer feed if they are already laying, separate dish of oyster shell, free range if you can, and small amounts of scratch and stuff. Try not to add every fad item someone recommends, and don't overthink it. Mary

 

[RJSorensen]

I don't use any supplements at all. I am sure someone will chime in with you need this or that, but I get by with just clean tap water and fresh feed. Dry shelter and clean litter go a long way to keep birds healthy. ACV is not to be used in a metal font, if you were thinking of using that.

Wild birds get by with what they can find to eat, pampered backyard hens do quite well with just the basic husbandry skills noted above.

You can use one or all of them, if it helps you feel better, I don't think the birds care. There is more to go wrong by using 'things' than by just running a clean ship and clean tap water.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ