Oyster shell even in sand litter coop?

[A_Fowl_Guy]

As others have said, it will work if the particles are as big as in store bought grit. But granite or not, if too fine, it won't serve.

Size 1 grit for chicks and size 3 for chickens if I recall correctly.

 

[getaclue]

I wouldn't be to quick to jump into the "homemade" feed wagon. Animal nutritionists are paid a lot to develop feed formulas that meet optimum nutritional requirements. Something we all discover is that there are times that the nutritional requirements change a little, for a short period of time. Molt is the first thing that comes to mind. There are a few people that have tweaked an existing formula for their type birds, to address specific needs. Again, this can be a waste, if you don't have the same breed of birds, and same needs. IF you do decide to go with your recipe, I'd be weighing, and documenting growth, weights, egg production, longevity, any health issues, etc., over time.

 

[aart]

http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf.

I found it on a homesteading blog; she started making her own mix and tweaking it based on protein content, etc to boost egg flavor vs using the commercial feed (which has corn and soy, typically) and it sounded like something I wanted to try, since I have the space and a mill nearby. I wrote down the "recipe" but don't have the site, sorry.

Does recipe include a premix with essential vitamins/minerals/amino acids for poultry?

 

[Steph on the Farm]

http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf.


Does recipe include a premix with essential vitamins/minerals/amino acids for poultry?

No, although she did say she uses a mixture of oyster and an enriched grit in the run every other day, as it doesn’t mix well with the grains. I imagine it sort of falls to the bottom of your barrel and then they don’t get it.

 

[fldiver97]

Be careful with ‘homemade mix’, some recipes may not provide a good balance. Long term it can cause issues. Whatever you decide to feed, I suggest you keep a small dish with crushed oyster shells near the feeder so the chickens can supplement calcium when needed. I also think coarse grit is important..... My chickens have the run of the yard at least for part of the day but a couple of years ago Violet had a soft crop impact and ended up at the vet school for surgery. I provide coarse grit religiously in the run too, anything to prevent issues

 

[Steph on the Farm]

Be careful with ‘homemade mix’, some recipes may not provide a good balance. Long term it can cause issues. Whatever you decide to feed, I suggest you keep a small dish with crushed oyster shells near the feeder so the chickens can supplement calcium when needed. I also think coarse grit is important..... My chickens have the run of the yard at least for part of the day but a couple of years ago Violet had a soft crop impact and ended up at the vet school for surgery. I provide coarse grit religiously in the run too, anything to prevent issues

Poor Violet!

Basically she took what was in the commercial feed she had been using and took out a lot of the junk. Then modified the protein ratio just a hair to enhance the flavor of the eggs. The recipe is very specific in terms of ratios because of what each thing brings to the table. I’m glad she did the math because that’s not for me. She said her girls ended up eating far less than with the commercial. And to me it does make sense, having given my own dietary choices a big makeover a few years ago. Eat crap, you’re hungry an hour later and don’t benefit from it. Eat to fuel, and you’re a well-oiled machine! Don’t get me wrong—I do so enjoy the junk but I do acknowledge what eating simple, whole foods does for me.

 

[Steph on the Farm]

I wouldn't be to quick to jump into the "homemade" feed wagon. Animal nutritionists are paid a lot to develop feed formulas that meet optimum nutritional requirements. Something we all discover is that there are times that the nutritional requirements change a little, for a short period of time. Molt is the first thing that comes to mind. There are a few people that have tweaked an existing formula for their type birds, to address specific needs. Again, this can be a waste, if you don't have the same breed of birds, and same needs. IF you do decide to go with your recipe, I'd be weighing, and documenting growth, weights, egg production, longevity, any health issues, etc., over time.

I wouldn't be to quick to jump into the "homemade" feed wagon. Animal nutritionists are paid a lot to develop feed formulas that meet optimum nutritional requirements. Something we all discover is that there are times that the nutritional requirements change a little, for a short period of time. Molt is the first thing that comes to mind. There are a few people that have tweaked an existing formula for their type birds, to address specific needs. Again, this can be a waste, if you don't have the same breed of birds, and same needs. IF you do decide to go with your recipe, I'd be weighing, and documenting growth, weights, egg production, longevity, any health issues, etc., over time.

I’m willing to bet that not all who use commercial feed (albeit produced by well paid experts) do the sort of documentation you are suggesting I do. And I mean no disrespect; but isn’t that a one size fits all feed? People buy it and trust it to feed their laying hens properly simply because it says “layer feed”, regardless of breed. I understand there may be times when things need to be tweaked. That’s how it goes with all living things.
Somehow my original question got lost and this turned into something else entirely. I’m guessing there are more on BYC than just me who have decided to feed their flock something other than what everyone else does.
I do appreciate you all taking the time however. Thank you.

 

[getaclue]

Actually, most of the manufacturers of commercial feeds do years worth of the sort of documentation I suggested. I was not trying to be offensive. There are a surprising number of people on BYC that live in countries that don't have commercial feeds available to them. There are people on here that are very helpful when they're trying to source resources available to them, to achieve an overall healthy diet for their flocks.

There are some on here that show their birds, or have certain needs with the breed they're raising, that they tweak the standard formula, and have it milled. It's not about cost savings. There is a certain bottom line cost associated with feeding a flock. Trying to lower that bottom line, usually doesn't end up well for the flock, especially over time.

As with many on here, I don't feed mine layer feed. Chickens can eat a grower/flock raiser feed, with a bit higher nutrition level, and more protein, their entire lives. Just be sure to offer free choice oyster shell, so they can get the additional calcium as needed. They tend to fare better over time.

Do you have hatchery stock? Do you have heritage stock from a good breeder? This can make some difference too. I started with production hens. They're fairly easy to care for, and high production. Most people will tell you that production goes down after 2 - 2.5 years. After that, it's all downhill, and they are not long-lived once production stops. By investing more into their feed, I was getting about 5 years out of mine.

I'm not the only old timer that has a heritage line of chickens that are 6 years old, that are still productive. Yes, by the time they're 8 years old, production has slowed down significantly, but not always stopped completely. One of the things we have in common is our feeding, and care protocols. It all depends on your short-term, or long-term goals as to what you invest into feed.

 

[Acre4Me]

I swear the lady I read about who uses it said she uses it for grit, but I could be mistaken.

I found it on a homesteading blog;

wonder if the blogger's name is Becky?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

wonder if the blogger's name is Becky?

I was fearing the same thing.