no one is eating oyster shell...why?

[0die]

I once tried to go all 20% for a while and offer oyster shell on the side. I never saw any oyster shell eaten. The same dish of oyster has been untouched for 3-4 years. Every time I go back to try only protein feed the oyster never gets touches and eventually I give up and go back to layer feed.

 

[ScratchNbawk]

Wow, 3 -4 years
Did you experience any changes in egg quality with the higher protein feed?

 

[NatJ]

Did you get eggs with soft shells during that time?
If the eggshells were fine, then the hens were getting enough calcium from somewhere.

If you were getting soft shelled eggs, and the chickens were not eating the oyster shell, then maybe they didn't like that kind. I've read that some people's hens like one brand or another better.

 

[0die]

I didn't take detailed notes but kinda "felt" the eggshells were kinda thin. I never really left them on protein only long enough to really know. I tried a few times but the oyster shell pile never getting any smaller kinda got me scared they were losing calcium.

they do free range a little bit.

 

[JaeG]

If they can find enough in their environment then they won't need to supplement with the oyster shell. Some birds are more efficient at using calcium as well. They only need a tiny piece as it stays in their gizzard for awhile slowly releasing calcium as it is ground up and dissolved.

I feed a higher protein crumble (mostly because our quail can eat it too) and just occasionally toss out a bit of oyster shell grit. They barely touch it but their egg shells are fine.

 

[kerbotx]

There are different kinds of calcium supplements out there; my girls seem to prefer the actual chipped up seashells that are kinda grey & stinky over the white stuff from Manna Pro in the 50lb bag. I'm also experimenting with aragonite calcium that I order from chewy - it's a fine grain that I mix into their wet mash. I also like to sprinkle some around their feeding stations, and into their scratch, along with a little grit, just to spread it around a bit.

 

[ScratchNbawk]

Seems like you’ve noticed a correlation between the higher protein feed and possibly lower calcium intake. Hmm, I’m not sure why that would happen. I’d say if what you’re doing right now works for you, then don’t change it. If you’d like to feed higher protein maybe you can save some shells from the lower and higher protein and do a comparison? Then you’d know for sure?
If you do indeed find them lacking in calcium with the higher protein feed, well, I’m not sure where to go from there . . .

 

[0die]

They only need a tiny piece as it stays in their gizzard for awhile slowly releasing calcium as it is ground up and dissolved.

I feed a higher protein crumble (mostly because our quail can eat it too) and just occasionally toss out a bit of oyster shell grit. They barely touch it but their egg shells are fine.

did not know how much oyster or calcium they really need. I figured it was a fairly good amount since they poop an egg a day.

I'd like to just do grower feed for the higher protein. I figure it makes richer or better eggs. Or is that just a myth? Chickens are made to eat bugs. they love them so much. that's lots of protein.

 

[JaeG]

did not know how much oyster or calcium they really need. I figured it was a fairly good amount since they poop an egg a day.

I'd like to just do grower feed for the higher protein. I figure it makes richer or better eggs. Or is that just a myth? Chickens are made to eat bugs. they love them so much. that's lots of protein.

Mine eat less of the higher protein feed, which is better for my pocket even though the higher protein feed is slightly more expensive. Layer feed is formulated to meet the needs of production type birds (leghorns and commercial brown egg layers), whereas many people find that more traditional breeds, and especially the heavier breeds, do better on higher protein feeds.

 

[Cecisflock]

did not know how much oyster or calcium they really need. I figured it was a fairly good amount since they poop an egg a day.

I'd like to just do grower feed for the higher protein. I figure it makes richer or better eggs. Or is that just a myth? Chickens are made to eat bugs. they love them so much. that's lots of protein.

Grower feed is for meat birds. period. I wouldn't suggest using it it will make little difference