Oyster shells

[Mamato6]

Hey all! So I have one hen that's laying (1.5yrs old) the rest are 4.5 months or younger. I was told I should add in oyster shells which helps the eggs?
I got them for this gorgeous gal Lacey

What do I do with them? Put them in food? By itself? I buy Nutrena starter grower because I have two 7 week old self blue Amaraucanas one 11 weeks old self blue, one 11 week old black copper Maran, and then five 17 week olds (4 EE's and 1 black star) and 3 18 week olds (2 EE's and a Silver Laced Wyandotte) I'm assuming I'll have to put it up higher or something so the littles don't try to eat it?

 

[FrankieDoodle]

We have it in the food & by itself. I don't think it matters either way. She is beautiful by the way

 

[Mamato6]

@FrankieDoodle
Thank you )
I just got her about a week ago. I put some on the ground for her and she looked at me like I had 10 heads lol. I'll try to find something I can hang from the run that's her height

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Offer oyster shell free choice. You can scatter it or put it in a container for them to pick through. I put mine in a cup attached to a post in my run, but they bill it out, so 1/2 of it ends up in the dirt anyway - I suppose some pieces are better than others

 

[Folly's place]

Don't mix it in the feed, have it separate. Laying hens will eat it as they need it, and others will ignore it. I feed Flock Raiser, a 20% protein all-flock feed, all year, to everyone, and have oyster shell in another container. Mary

 

[Mamato6]

@Wyorp Rock so you're saying the other younger ones will leave it alone? Is it something they can choke on if they don't? I just don't want to hurt the younger ones ya know?

@Folly's place hmm I don't think I've seen flock raiser at my feed store. I've seen starter, starter grower and grower layer. So for now I stick to the starter grower for the 18% protein

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock so you're saying the other younger ones will leave it alone? Is it something they can choke on if they don't? I just don't want to hurt the younger ones ya know?

Generally younger birds will leave it alone, they may pick at a piece or two - won't hurt them. I really don't think a bird would choke on it, but anything is possible.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Don't mix it in the feed, have it separate. Laying hens will eat it as they need it, and others will ignore it. I feed Flock Raiser, a 20% protein all-flock feed, all year, to everyone, and have oyster shell in another container. Mary

X2
As to choking risk, the pieces are not of a size to pose a risk for that

 

[GC-Raptor]

I offer it in a small pail I got at TSC. I removed the handle and use a eye screw to mount to a stud in a corner. I can remove pail by turning eye screw a quarter turn. Buy an eye screw that fits through horizontally, but not vertically. I drilled four 3/32 holes in bottom to drain moisture. GC

 

[mockingbird]

I have a 2 sided mineral feeder (probably made for goats.) It is hanging on the coop wire low enough for the adult chickens to reach easily but high enough that they don't kick too much litter into it. I keep oyster shell in one side and regular grit in the other. It seems to work well.