Oyster Shell Question.

[Sakai]

One of my hens started laying but my other 4 hens haven't. (They are about 18-20 weeks old.) I've already started mixing a little oyster shell with their food. is it' okay? Even though the other hens haven't started laying?

 

[Ridgerunner]

They are old enough it will not hurt. Instead of mixing it with the food, I'd suggest offering it free choice. If they need it, they will eat it. If they don't need it, they won't.

I prefer oyster shell and grit free choice. I don't know when they are getting too much or too little as well as they do.

 

[vnploveschickens]

I would also put the oyster shell in a separate dish for free choice feeding. My girls eat it if they need it and won't if they don't. Somehow they just know........

 

[BigSkyChickens]

I keep grit and oystershell in small plastic containers nailed to a post near the feeder.

Chickens will self-regulate with the grit and oyster shell (but NOT with styrofoam!).
Have fun w/ your chix...

 

[Sakai]

I bought a small heavy duty bowl and started offering them the shell in that. My RIR's are sitting in the nest box on the golf ball for three days now. I hope that means they will start lying soon.