Oyster Shells!

[ChickenCanoe]

I think it's a myth that Roosters just tip over dead with excessive calcium intake. I don't see any humans dropping dead from drinking milk every day! Strong bones is a good thing.

Strong egg shells are a good thing too but roosters don't lay eggs.
Humans need about 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. A cup of milk contains 300 milligrams so well under the requirement and no danger.
That is also well under 1% of a normal diet.
On the other hand, layer feed is 4% calcium.
Roosters don't 'tip over dead' until 5 of the 6 kidney segments are damaged. That doesn't happen overnight due to consuming layer feed. But it happens.

You don't know that because - I forgot - you are the one with very little poultry experience nor much nutritional knowledge yet the one who denies the science and likes to argue about it.
It would be best not providing erroneous information to newcomers.

 

[steiggy]

I think it's a myth that Roosters just tip over dead with excessive calcium intake. I don't see any humans dropping dead from drinking milk every day! Strong bones is a good thing.

Humans are not chickens. Our body systems function differently and our nutritional needs are different than than of a chicken. It is a fact that excess calcium consumption causes kidney damage. Usually, roosters who have been fed layer feed with last a couple years...but eventually it will catch up with them. Science doesn't care if we believe in it or not. What is true...is true.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Humans are not chickens. Our body systems function differently and our nutritional needs are different than than of a chicken. It is a fact that excess calcium consumption causes kidney damage. Usually, roosters who have been fed layer feed with last a couple years...but eventually it will catch up with them. Science doesn't care if we believe in it or not. What is true...is true.

And I also want to add, with all these extra calcium intake you guys are giving to chickens.... you are unknowingly GMO'ing the heck outta these chickens already.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is curious that all those with doctorates in poultry nutrition suggest NOT feeding layer feed to roosters or other non-layers.
Yet, Shamo says it is OK. He just doesn't believe it.
Whose advice should one follow?

 

[Tyrovive]

And I also want to add, with all these extra calcium intake you guys are giving to chickens.... you are unknowingly GMO'ing the heck outta these chickens already.

Offering natural supplements does not genetically modify an organism.

 

[steiggy]

And I also want to add, with all these extra calcium intake you guys are giving to chickens.... you are unknowingly GMO'ing the heck outta these chickens already.

With no snark intended, I ask...do you know what GMO means? I assure you, I do not have a laboratory attached to my coop, engineering roosters that are incapable of eating calcium. Oyster shell is literally just that...oyster shell. Nothing GMO about it. A hen requires calcium to meet the demand of the eggs she produces. Roosters do not lay eggs. They do not need as much calcium as a hen and by over feeding it to then, you will reduce the lifespan of your roosters. That is simple biology. Feed what you like to your flock, that is your right. But it’s best we don’t try to perpetuate misinformation.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

 

[Acre4Me]

FWIW, when we had quail, I gave them cuttlebone. I would zip tie it to the side of the cage and they loved it - kept them occupied and saved floor space in their cages. Purchased a large box of cuttlebone on Amazon, and it lasted for quite awhile.