oyster shell consumption

[poultrygeist]

Hello! My girls are at 20 weeks now and need their oyster shell. Will they eat it from a small bucket or should it be added to their layer crumbles?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

either way....

 

[mdbokc]

I put mine is a separate bowl by the grit (toward the rear in the photo). Since they haven't anything to eat from the free range activities, the consumption has dramatically increased. They go through a bowl every 2-3 days. Layer feeds remain the same. But I like to let them take it as they feel the need rather than ration it. jmho

 

[cafarmgirl]

I like to feed my oyster and grit separately too. Whenever I have tried mixing something with the feed I found a lot more waste when they decided to bill through all of it looking for enough of whatever they wanted at the moment.

 

[felidaet]

I feed Oyster shell and Grit separate from feed. It is available free choice anytime they want it.

 

[chookchick]

Leave the oyster shell separate. It is fascinating to watch them. About a week or so before laying their first egg, they will begin to eat the oyster shell. They somehow know what their bodies need when they produce eggs...

 

[MiniBeesKnees]

All that was available at the co-op when I went to buy some was fifty pound bags. Since I had one laying hen at the time that is pretty much a lifetime supply, for me, and for her. Having tons of it, I scatter it in a bare spot in the run....the white shows against the dirt and they seem to know what it is. Now I have six laying and have never gotten a soft shell egg...actually they are like rocks when you crack them to cook. Much harder then 'store bought'...

 

[mboreham1]

I have mine separate, they have had access to it since they were 16 weeks, they started laying at 24 weeks, they generally eat about 8oz per week, i have 4 birds. Of course there is waste so my 8oz is probably north of what actually makes it down into their crops!

Mine free range and i feed them their own egg shells also, i am not sure if that is good bad or indifferent but they get it either way. Their shells are rock solid, sometimes i break the egg over the edge of the pan rather than in the pan because i really have to smash it!