oyster shell/grit (stupid Question)

[Tonya]

Ok so I just started giving my chickens oyster shell this week as they will start laying soon and im wondering does this take the place of grit or is this added to? Can you tell this is my first time to raise chickens??

And I still mix the grit in with the food as ive tried to do a seperate bowl of grit and all they do is dump it out on the grass and i cant tell if they need more so i add to it everyday so it was cheeper and eaiser to put it in with the food. Is this okay? Also do you give oyster shell like grit as is about the same amount or what?

Thanks Tonya

 

[scooter147]

You can give the grit in their food if you wish, don't give too much though.
Oyster shell can just be provided free choice, mine is in a separate wall feeder and they "nibble" on it as they see fit. Honestly, mine barely touch it and I don't have soft shell eggs or any other issues, matter of fact many of my customers comment on how hard my chickens shells are.
Another thought, if your chickens have the opportunity to free range grit probably isn't necessary. Chickens will consume the grit they need from bits of sand, rock and other hard objects they find as they forage. I let mine out probably a total of 8 hours in a week and I don't provide any other grit other then what they find on their own.