Oyster Shell

[Amigatec]

Here is what I use. I have Oyster shells in one side and grit in the other.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

3 out of my 4 have started laying this week. I am offering them a dish of oyster shell. I understand that they will eat it if they need it, Tommboy. I've been reading a lot of different opinions on here, some say definitely offer calcium supplement and some say it's not necessary. Oyster shell is not very expensive, so I am offering it.

 

[shesaredroan]

Tommboy,
Layena is considered a complete food for chickens, no need to add anything else. However, if you are concerned about weak egg shells then oyster shell is the thing to add to your girls' diet. I offer it to my girls, that way if they want it it's there for them, if they don't want it then they don't need it. No harm done

It's kinda like putting out salt blocks for horses.......they know what they need, and consume accordingly.

I always start my chicks with Start & Grow (medicated) and as they get older start offering PELLET Layena............less waste than crumble Layena. It usually takes them a little while before they take to the pellet shape, but they grow to like it and it saves on waste.

 

[tommboy1973]

Thanks! I prob would've got them oyster shell anyways since I spoil 'em rotten, was just wondering. I just bought the first bag of Layena, they are 19 weeks old now. I also switched to pellets, I wonder what they will think of that after the flock raiser crumbles? I figured it would be less wasteful, but if they won't eat it I will pro be out them crumbling it by hand, LOL! My husband totally thinks I am nuts, he's always saying they are just chickens!!!

 

[GwenDellAnno]

I also switched to pellets, I wonder what they will think of that after the flock raiser crumbles?

I read somewhere that the feed is first crushed into powder, then smushed together into the pellet form and then the pellets are pounded down again to make crumbles. So.... you either need chick starter crumbles (for first few weeks... quite high protein and can be medicated), grower crumbles or pellets (has high protein but not as high as starter) once they are past about 4 - 6 weeks and then moving to layer pellets or crumble once they are close to laying ~ 19 - 20 weeks or thereabouts. (The layer has more calcium in it and a bit less protein). I think meat chickens are often kept on the grower feed.

I started my chicks on the pellets at about 4 weeks. They wasted way less feed that way!!!​

 

[dogdollar]

My chooks started laying when they were still on starter-grower crumble and the eggs were so hard you almost needed a hammer to get them open.
DD