Oyster shell even in sand litter coop?

[staceyj]

Hey there, I did some searches but couldn't quite find any exact answer that I'm looking for.

I plan to have sand for litter both in the coop and run, which obviously should eliminate the need for buying separate grit. My issue, however, is with the absence of calcium. I will be making a blend of whole seed and grain feed for my layers that would typically contain oyster shell for grit. I guess it's not a problem if they end up mostly using the shell for their grit, rather than so much of the granite in the sand if I do still include it with their feed. But I'm wondering if anyone out there in BYC who uses SAND in their space still supplements with oyster for the calcium benefit?? Or would I be okay without it and see what happens? Is there something else that is a good calcium supplement, since I'll have to find some selenium-rich something also?

Or am I just overthinking...which is entirely possible...

Thanks!

Yes. They’d still need calcium.
And depending on if you’re freeranging too and what your soil makeup is, I earnestly suggest grit as well.

Grit is generally small sharp granite stones.
MUCH bigger than sand.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Animal nutritionists are paid a lot to develop feed formulas that meet optimum nutritional requirements.

You missed a big part of that statement ...

In my experience and research: " Animal nutritionists are paid a lot to develop feed formulas that meet nutritional requirements USING AS CHEAP OF INGREDIENTS AS THEY CAN TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS."

There are better sources of protein than corn and soy, but corn and soy are cheaper...

the original question: yes, offer a source of calcium.

Oyster shell is probably most commonly used, but some owners offer clean, sterilized crushed egg shells back to their flock as a calcium source. One of my friends saves all the egg shells when she cooks, then washes and rinses really good, and then bakes them. They crush nicely when baked. Her chickens get so excited when she brings out new shells for them to pick through ... even when their shell bowl is not even empty.

I second the advice to offer grit on the side also. My chickens have a dirt run and they can definately find enough grit in the native soil. However, after watching them run to the gravel pile whenever I let them free-range, I decided to offer limestone grit in a bowl in the coop. They regularly dig through the bowl to find the exact pieces that they want. When the bowl gets low (usually in spring), I dump it outside and fill it with fresh. The pile outside disappears by the end of the summer, without a trace.

 

[aart]

wonder if the blogger's name is Becky?

I was fearing the same thing.

Is Betty a Badnews Blogger?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Is Betty a Badnews Blogger?

Becky has some YouTube videos and a blog that is very misinformative. Check her out.

 

[aart]

Becky has some YouTube videos and a blog that is very misinformative. Check her out.

Nah, seen too many of those already...misinformation is everywhere.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Nah, seen too many of those already...misinformation is everywhere.

Saves you a headdesk moment then

 

[Steph on the Farm]

You missed a big part of that statement ...

In my experience and research: " Animal nutritionists are paid a lot to develop feed formulas that meet nutritional requirements USING AS CHEAP OF INGREDIENTS AS THEY CAN TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS."

There are better sources of protein than corn and soy, but corn and soy are cheaper...

the original question: yes, offer a source of calcium.

Oyster shell is probably most commonly used, but some owners offer clean, sterilized crushed egg shells back to their flock as a calcium source. One of my friends saves all the egg shells when she cooks, then washes and rinses really good, and then bakes them. They crush nicely when baked. Her chickens get so excited when she brings out new shells for them to pick through ... even when their shell bowl is not even empty.

I second the advice to offer grit on the side also. My chickens have a dirt run and they can definately find enough grit in the native soil. However, after watching them run to the gravel pile whenever I let them free-range, I decided to offer limestone grit in a bowl in the coop. They regularly dig through the bowl to find the exact pieces that they want. When the bowl gets low (usually in spring), I dump it outside and fill it with fresh. The pile outside disappears by the end of the summer, without a trace.

You hit the nail on the head regarding the nutritionists. Talk about the bottom line being money. We see the same in our own food products, do we not?

And thank you for the remainder of your response. Very helpful!

 

[Steph on the Farm]

Yes. They’d still need calcium.
And depending on if you’re freeranging too and what your soil makeup is, I earnestly suggest grit as well.

Grit is generally small sharp granite stones.
MUCH bigger than sand.

I’m hoping to give them some free range time. We do have hawks and even bald eagles here so we will have to proceed with caution but would like to try so they can have that benefit. We have plenty of space for them to roam!
I won’t know how big the granite pieces will be until I go there and look at their sample piles; hoping it’s big enough but it won’t hurt to get some extra and set it out.

 

[Steph on the Farm]

Saves you a headdesk moment then

Well now I’m just curious. Lol

Her name isn’t anywhere on the blog...Uhoh!! I know what she looks like though so maybe I’ll have to scout YouTube!

 

[Relleoms]

Just throwing this out there-have you considered feeding fermented Scratch & Peck feed? It’s a whole grain feed with fines that work well for fermenting. They offer grit and oyster shell as well.
I should add, I stopped feeding S&P after one of my healthy girls dropped dead of fatty liver disease. The vet suggested it could be due to too many carbs. Whole grains make it easier to pick out the good bits they prefer, but they sure did love it!