Oyster shells, how much, how to?

[Juliechickens]

Hi,
I have 21 birds of various breeds. 5 of my hens have started laying. I noticed last week one of the eggs was very soft shelled so I ordered some oyster shells from Mcmurray. It came in today but there are no directions! I don't know how much to mix in with their laying feed or do I feed it seperately? How often do I feed it to them? HELP! Julie

 

[peepkeeper]

Just offer it free choice. They'll peck at it as needed. I serve oyster shell in an old pie pan.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Sometimes a new layer's first egg will be soft until her system is up and running. Does your layer food have calcium in it? If so, Id just offer the oyster shell as free choice to the layers. Are all your birds the same age?

 

[Rosalind]

Just keep a small container filled next to their food (not mixed in). It doesn't have to be a huge container, a pie pan or any old food container is fine--I think I put mine in a plastic box that originally contained ready-washed salad greens.

 

[Juliechickens]

Hey guys, thank you for such great answers. I will set a small bowl beside them and let them decide. Yes, their regular food has calcium in it as they are layer food. Most of the eggs are in great condition but a couple last week were very soft and so I ordered the oyster shells. Come to think of it though,,it may have been one of the hen's first egg or so. These have only been laying a couple weeks. Most are all the same age. Thanks for letting me know. I was looking at the shells yesterday,,,it looks so harsh for them to eat and digest. I can't imagine. It almost looks like it will hurt their tummy's but I guess not since Mccmurray sales it...LOL. I had read about soft shells but had never seen one till last week. This is my first flock only 9 months old. Oh I love those birds. Sweet sweet precious!
Thank you for all of your help, now I will go ahead and set a bowl out for them today

Julie

 

[Juliechickens]

P.S.
I am Momma to 4 silkie roos, 2 silkie hens, 1 dominique, 1 RIR, 2 dark brahmas, 1 light brahma,, 2 buff cochin, 2 white cochin, 2 lakenvelders, 1 bantam white frizzle( he's a little mighty might protector who rounds up the hens at night and makes them go into the barn, and he's half their size), 1 buff orpington, 1 columbian wyandotte,,I'm forgetting someone,,,,but I have one more. I love them all, they all live in harmony and are all very spoiled. Thanks again for your replies, Julie