Oyster shell

[redstars]

Any suggestions how to feed oyster shell?
Should I mix it in with the layer or give it separate?

 

[miss_jayne]

you can sprinkle it onto the food or leave it in a hopper for them to eat freely. to each his own.

 

[redstars]

Will they fill up on that or do they seem to know that it's not food?

 

[jerseygirl1]

Their bodies tell them what to eat when they need it

 

[dacdeihl]

I have a seperate chick trough that has oysters shell in it. They pick at it when they need to. It usually lasts a long time. If I take it out for a couple of weeks they go nuts about it when I put it back in.

 

[vnploveschickens]

The layers just seem to know their bodies need extra calcium. So they eat it when they need to. The layer pellets just doesn't supply enough for mine.

 

[oldtimer]

I have been raising laying hens for years, I have never, ever, bought oyster shell. We save the egg shells, let them dry out in the chicken bucket, grind them up and put them in the chicken feeder. Free. The only caution I would give is make sure the shells are ground up very good so they don't look like an egg. The last thing you want is for your flock to start eating their own eggs.

 

[redstars]

Thanks oldtimer, I like that Idea.
Welcome to BYC.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I feed the shell back to them also, baked and crushed. I also provide a feeder with oyster shell that they eat as needed.