Oyster shell's

[amk122284]

A 50 pound bag of layer feed lasted about 2 months for me, with only four hens, so I'd imagine it'd last a little less than a month for you. Don't know about all flock. It's probably cheaper in the long run to buy a bulk bag, instead of many small ones.

Derp, I did not ask my full question clearly lol, I was asking about the oyster shell. That is totally my fault.

 

[black_cat]

Derp, I did not ask my full question clearly lol, I was asking about the oyster shell. That is totally my fault.

OOooooh. Mine don't use it that much. A 5 pound bag for my four is still about half way full at 2.5 months-so I'd assume that for you they'd go through a 5 pound bag in about 2.25 months, maybe shorter.

 

[amk122284]

OOooooh. Mine don't use it that much. A 5 pound bag for my four is still about half way full at 2.5 months-so I'd assume that for you they'd go through a 5 pound bag in about 2.25 months, maybe shorter.

Awesome! I figured I wouldn't need the 50 lb bag but thought I probably should ask someone before assuming lol. I'll grab the 5 lb and see how it goes and be prepared to get more in a couple of months. Thank you!

 

[black_cat]

Awesome! I figured I wouldn't need the 50 lb bag but thought I probably should ask someone before assuming lol. I'll grab the 5 lb and see how it goes and be prepared to get more in a couple of months. Thank you!

Because you have more hens and have less calcium in the all flock, they may run out quicker, but that's a bit of an estimate. 2 month ish I think.

 

[GemmaGA]

Just an FYI - my girls are just about ready to start laying so I started them on layer feed about 2 weeks ago (however after reading several posts here on BYC, probably going to switch to all flock feed since I have 2 roosters in the mix that live with my beautiful girls). I actually tried mixing in oyster shell with their feed and putting it in the feeder. Chickens are smart! They pick out the oyster shell and spit it on the ground or just eat around it in the feeder. I can tell this because when I go to fill up the feeder, there is generally a TON of oyster shell left in the feeder and very little feed. So, if you think your girls need it, put it out, but they won't eat it if they don't need it.

This may change with my girls when they actually give momma some eggs , but right now they ignore it.

 

[Araucana Nest]

Just an FYI - my girls are just about ready to start laying so I started them on layer feed about 2 weeks ago (however after reading several posts here on BYC, probably going to switch to all flock feed since I have 2 roosters in the mix that live with my beautiful girls). I actually tried mixing in oyster shell with their feed and putting it in the feeder. Chickens are smart! They pick out the oyster shell and spit it on the ground or just eat around it in the feeder. I can tell this because when I go to fill up the feeder, there is generally a TON of oyster shell left in the feeder and very little feed. So, if you think your girls need it, put it out, but they won't eat it if they don't need it.

This may change with my girls when they actually give momma some eggs , but right now they ignore it.

Switched to Flock Raiser and adding oyster shell today. Good information to have, thanks. I was wondering since I saw one of my roos go at the oyster shell when I introduced it but he quickly figured out that he didn't want it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have 10 hens and I am switching them over to all flock - higher protein. Do any of you that are more experienced have any advice to offer in terms of HOW much oyster shell they will approximately go through? I don't know if I should get the 5 lb back or the 50 lb bag lol, is the 5 lb bag going to last a week or 5 months, or maybe somewhere in between?

Hard to say, as each flock is different... I'd start with 5 lb and see how quickly it goes. My guess will be it'll last somewhere around 2-3 months? Some birds will eat it sparingly, others might pork out on it. I have one that seems to have higher calcium needs so she eats quite a bit of it, so we go through it a bit faster.

 

[RebelEgger]

Glad I found this thread. We have 4 chickens - 3 hens and 1 rooster. I am feeding 75% grower 25% layer (roughly) as I can not find and all flock feed near me. I started offering oyster shell about 2 weeks ago, I bought a 2kg bag. The girls went though it already! I bought them a 5kg bag today. I have one girl that seems to pig out on it. I don’t know about cheap though - $10.50 for a 5kg bag?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Glad I found this thread. We have 4 chickens - 3 hens and 1 rooster. I am feeding 75% grower 25% layer (roughly) as I can not find and all flock feed near me. I started offering oyster shell about 2 weeks ago, I bought a 2kg bag. The girls went though it already! I bought them a 5kg bag today. I have one girl that seems to pig out on it. I don’t know about cheap though - $10.50 for a 5kg bag?

If you want you can feed all grower in lieu of feed specifically labeled all flock. Though the mix you're using should probably be ok since the calcium is being diluted down. I do 50/50 grower/layer when the girls are all mature enough to begin laying (I have no roos).

I can't find big bags of oyster shell near me, only small bags, so that makes it more expensive if you break down the cost per pound/kg.

 

[RebelEgger]

If you want you can feed all grower in lieu of feed specifically labeled all flock. Though the mix you're using should probably be ok since the calcium is being diluted down. I do 50/50 grower/layer when the girls are all mature enough to begin laying (I have no roos).

I can't find big bags of oyster shell near me, only small bags, so that makes it more expensive if you break down the cost per pound/kg.

I need to inquire about a bigger bag of oyster shell the next time I’m in for some. Once they start laying some eggs I’ll give them their shells as well. But for now they are still free loading!