Ok...need some Oyster Shell info.

[Chicky Joy]

I got one soft shelled egg when my girls first started laying. Within three days I have gotten 2 more soft shells. On Monday the soft shelled egg made 9 eggs from my 89 chickens.

First of all, is it time for some oyster shell in their diet?

Secondly, I live on an Island so I have to order all my supplies a day or so in advance and then pick them up from the boat dock. I've ordered twice already this week. So, I was wondering is there another way to give them a little calcium boost in their diet? I can still get oyster shells but it'd be easier if I could give them something else in the meantime.

 

[Frizzledhen]

I hard boil eggs and chop them up with the shell still on and feed it back to the chickens.

 

[Sebrightmom]

You should start to give them Oyster shells now that they started laying. I also give mine hens their own egg shells to eat. I know a lot people that do this differently. Some cook the shells in the oven for a little bit to get the egg taste off of them. I just have a bowl in my kitchen. Everytime I use eggs. I put the shells in the bowl. I wait until they dry then I break them up and feed them back. You may want to try this until your Oyster Shells come. Good Luck!

 

[MissPrissy]

Now that they have begun to lay you should offer them free choice oyster shell. Keep a feeder or dish full of it along side their normal layer feed. They will eat what they need of it when they need it. It won't take long for the shells to harden up once you offer the oyster shells. Also any eggs you use in your kitchen save the shells and mash them up and feed them back to your hens. They don't get as much calcium from the egg shells as they do from the oyster shells but every little bit helps. Think of it as the ultimate in recycling.

 

[tvtaber]

You really need to add the oyster shells, and they are not expensive. We use our chick feeder for the oyster shells, since it is small enough to hang next to the regular feeder, but they'll peck them off the run ground as well. They eat a surprising amount of the stuff...