Oyster Shell vs. Grit

[sandypaws]

... when i feed it i just throw a big scoop of it on the ground near their coop.. they scratch through and eat what they need

 

[PattiXmas]

so if you feed them shells you also need to feed them grit???
this is our first time with chickens just trying to be safe

 

[sandypaws]

YES.. it is for 2 different things....

#1 grit stays in the crop/gizzard to help grind up food... depends on where you live.. i personally never have to offer grit.. i live inthe desert and my chicken freerange on sandy soil..... if your chickens are locked in a coop/run or you live someplace where there is not alot of sand/small rock, you will need to offer it to the chickens... just find or buy a bucket full of sandy/rocky soil and dump it n their coop/run/area

#2 oystershells is for Xtra calcium... i have allot of chickens.. i toss about 2-5 lbs of oyster shell into their area about once a month..
50 pounds of oystershells lasted me about 1 year

 

[Val3rie]

But wait.... do you have to feed them grit AND oyster shells???
hahahaha no seriously, I'm just playing wit'cha !

 

[sandypaws]

yup..thats ALL you feed them..a bowl of shells and a bowl of rocks....
HAHAHAHAHA

 

[sewchick]

I didn't feed my hens oyster shell for a couple of days and I got soft like latex glove eggs. They were gross. I feed mine layer crumbles. I also give them grit in the same bowl as the oyster shell. Seems to work. I think everyone has their own little things that work.