Now I'm Confused About Table Scraps!

[andycowboy]

It's been several years since I raised any chickens, but have started again - for the eggs! I have 5 breeds - 3 each Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire Reds, Ameracauna, Barred Rock and Buckeyes. The Reds are about 2 months old, and the others are maybe a week and a half - all of them are getting along great, with the older girls actually protecting the kids from the dang cold front that just moved in.

As I recall from my past venture, I was told to never feed the birds chicken or eggs, because there's a distinct possibility that they'll break open their own eggs 'cause they like the taste. Started reading these threads, and I'm confused...but it appears feeding them leftover meat and eggs - what about egg shells to help with calcium? - isn't a problem. Am I correctly understanding this? Oh, BTW, they'll be free range - a rather large fenced portion of the yard - when they get bigger.

Just looking for a more recent opinion - most of the existing threads are rather old. Oh, and when should I start making oyster shells available? Wait until they start laying?

These threads are great - full of information - so thanks to all who contribute!

Have a great day, and God bless!

 

[rocksmom]

I was confused too, but from what I read I've gathered that feeding cooked eggs are the way to go. I've done scrambled eggs for mine, but then they aren't laying yet. I've read in passing about the shells for calcium too, but I assumed they were ground or crushed. Not just a whole egg. I'm sure someone else will be able to offer more solid information.

 

[groundpecker]

You should wait until they start laying to feed oyster shell.
Feeding eggshells should not be a problem if you smash them into little pieces.

 

[Den in Penn]

Hi. Table scraps are a supplement in a chicken's diet. Too much though and it unbalances their diet. Nothing wrong with feeding eggs, break them mix them with something else or cook them. They won't know where that delicious thing came from if its broken. Feeding back egg shells is a good way to supplement calcium. They really won't need the extra calcium until the start to lay, so the oyster shell can wait till then. You can put it in earlier but they just peck at it to see what it is.

 

[andycowboy]

I was confused too, but from what I read I've gathered that feeding cooked eggs are the way to go. I've done scrambled eggs for mine, but then they aren't laying yet. I've read in passing about the shells for calcium too, but I assumed they were ground or crushed. Not just a whole egg. I'm sure someone else will be able to offer more solid information.

Now that you said that, rocksmom, I remember that I used to "grind" the shells with a fork and add them to the oyster shell. Thanks for jogging my memory!

Also thanks to Den in Penn and groundpecker for their input!

Hope everyone has a great weekend, and God bless!

 

[twisted troy]

I like to scramble the eggs before I feed it to them, i'm going to start getting scraps from a taco shop I work next to also.

 

[andycowboy]

I like to scramble the eggs before I feed it to them, i'm going to start getting scraps from a taco shop I work next to also.

That's a great idea! I'm in south central Texas - plenty of taco shops around here! Thanks, Troy!

I'm also saving eggshells in the fridge, after rinsing them out, for when the girls start laying in about 1 1/2 months - does that make sense?

 

[GA_Gypsy]

Yep, that's what I have done for the past year and works great. I have a bowl right outside my backdoor and every day I grab some rinsed out shells, crush them with my hand and they go to town on them! I also wiill feed them any scraps left over from the boys breakfast (which is not often since they love 'em!) and the girls scarf them up as well. We've never had anyone peck or eat their own egg. I used to buy oyster shell and mix that in with their feed but after all the egg shells they already eat for free I thought that was overkill. Their shells seem to be thick and strong with just that.

 

[twisted troy]

I haven't needed to use extra calcium, my shells are plenty thick already. I also just asked a gas station on the way home if they would save me the veggies and fruit they would normally toss away. I know exactly where u are I'm between lockhart and bastrop, haven't been to wimberly in a little while. Although once my bikes back on the road i'm sure i'll pass thru