Oyster Shell Question

[ChickAsThieves]

I have six 6-7 week old pullets and one laying hen sharing a run and coop. They all eat the same starter feed because there is no way to separate them to eat. I have not offered the hen oyster shells because I know it's not good for the pullets to eat the shells at this stage. I was told that I can offer the oyster in a separate dish the hen will eat it, but the pullets won't. Is this true? I want everyone to be healthy!

Thanks!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Ya, most people with mixed ages flocks do something like that. The younger ones or birds like roos that don't need it tend to just leave it alone and the Laying hens will eat what they need. I feed mine an all ages type food and just have a couple of bowls of oyster shell out for the older girls, nobody else seems to bother it. It is probably a good idea to have the shell dish pretty close to the food since the hens don't tend to really go in search of it, some people just toss a handful into the run occasionally.