Oyster shells

[crooked stripe]

All of my hens are in some sort of molt and not laying. Should I pull the oyster shells. They still eat it along with grit and Layena. Two months with having to buy eggs stinks. John

 

[dacdeihl]

My chickens just got done with some molting and I had oyster shells out the whole time. It's under my understanding that they eat it by free will. If they need it they will eat it.

 

[gsim]

Add more protein to their feed. Calf-manna has been recommended on BYC a lot for helping to kick start them after molt. So has cat-food. Do be aware that first the feathers need to grow back. I do not know if they even lay at all until feathers are re-grown.

 

[crooked stripe]

Of course they didn't all molt at the same time. Seems like they took their individual turn. The first started about 2 months ago and the last was about a week ago. 5 total. Seems like forever I have picked an egg out of the boxes. I will start some cat food tomorrow, but I must remember it is winter. I haven't added extra light because of the molt and the cold temps. I am trying to give them all the time they need. I can buy eggs. I have been fighting the frozen water problem for the past 2 weeks. Today my heated water base came by UPS so in the morning I will fire it up. I hate to see chickens pecking at the ice in the morning. I try to clear it out by 7:00 am as soon as it gets light. Thanks for the replies, John