I have chickens ranging from 6 months to 4 months. One of the older ones has started laying. Can I go ahead and start feeding oyster shells or do I need to wait till everyone is laying? I put a handful out and only the one laying seems real interested in it. I just have been putting a handful out every couple of days. Continue or hold off? If I continue, how much should I put out?
I just go ahead and offer them free choice in a small feeder located at hen height in the coop, and assume that the girls who need them will eat them. You could probably also throw a handful out to them every few days, but don't actually mix it in with the feed as this might be harder for the young ones to sort out. Otherwise I don't think it's a problem.
I have a cup attached to the wall and refill as needed. They take it when/if needed and leave it otherwise.
