Oyster Shell Too Early?

[Creteloc]

My two pullets (a RIR and an EE) are both around 4 months old. I was doing coop maintenance and decided to throw in a container of oyster shell, though neither of them look ready to lay. The RIR proceeded to empty out the container onto the ground immediately, which is her usual MO. Then, the EE went around and ate the oyster shell like it was candy.

Did I feed it too early? I know it's been said on here they won't eat it unless they need it, but the EE doesn't even have a comb at all. Like, NO comb at all, let alone a red one. Now I'm afraid she'll get sick, so I removed the Oyster shell. I figured if they wouldn't eat it until they were ready it'd be best to put it in there for when they were ready, but maybe I shouldn't have?

Thoughts?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Take it out until they are in lay. The EE was likely trying to use it as grit. It's too early to be giving them extra calcium. She won't get sick but you don't want pelvic bones setting before they expand when in lay.

 

[Creteloc]

So let them lay an egg and then give them shell? Gotcha! I'll leave it out. Geesh, so many mistakes. I need do-over chickens.

 

[GC-Raptor]

They'll need Granite Grit if the ground is frozen or your soil doesn't contain small pebbles, if you don't already provide it.

, like this, to grind seeds, whole grains and grass. Just to name a few. GC

 

[Creteloc]

They do get grit in a container. She just apparently really likes the Oyster shell.