Oyster Chsell Consumption

[scayne62]

Twice now I have filled up the alternate feeder we have setup with half Oyster Shells and Half Grit, Within an hour or two the chickens have eaten the entire container of oyster shells. Is this normal and should I limit the amount we give them from time to time?

 

[Boonie Stomper]

Something must be missing in this picture.
Laying hens need some extra calcium to make good shells for their eggs. But only supplementing the food.

All birds need small hard rocks to serve as grinders in their gizzards. Sizes and amounts consumed varies with bird size and rate the rocks (grit) wear down and are passed.

In both cases the amount of food eaten should be cosiderably more than either of the above.

Try separate measured amounts of each instead of a 50-50 mix and don't put it in a feeder look-alike. Report back if they still are eating that much of one or both.

 

[scayne62]

The top picture is their feeders. There is food gone from both of the daily the bottom is what I put he oyster shells and grit in. One side oyster one side grit.