Production Red not laying

[rosemarythyme]

I can't get our hens to eat the oyster shells, but their egg shells are thin. I tried putting some food with the oyster shells. They pick out the shells and eat the food.

You could try crushed egg shells instead, some folks say their birds prefer that to oyster shell. I generally don't have issues with birds not wanting oyster shell though.

 

[aart]

I can't get our hens to eat the oyster shells, but their egg shells are thin. I tried putting some food with the oyster shells. They pick out the shells and eat the food.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
What kind of layer feed, brand/model/shape/protein and calcium percentages?

 

[NatureGirl74]

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
What kind of layer feed, brand/model/shape/protein and calcium percentages?

We were feeding them Purina 16% layer crumbles. Last time I couldn't find that so we got a new feed. It's Family Farm egg maker crumble. 15% protein and 3.5- 4.5% calcium. They have oyster shells in a separate feeder available to them. Most days we throw scratch out onto the ground for them to give them something to do/peck at all day. Once in a while they get mealworms or bread. Their favorite fruits and vegetables are mulberries, blueberries, grapes, cantaloupe, and butternut squash. They get these mostly in summer when everything is ripe, but sometimes in winter we buy some to give them.

 

[aart]

We were feeding them Purina 16% layer crumbles. Last time I couldn't find that so we got a new feed. It's Family Farm egg maker crumble. 15% protein and 3.5- 4.5% calcium. They have oyster shells in a separate feeder available to them. Most days we throw scratch out onto the ground for them to give them something to do/peck at all day. Once in a while they get mealworms or bread. Their favorite fruits and vegetables are mulberries, blueberries, grapes, cantaloupe, and butternut squash. They get these mostly in summer when everything is ripe, but sometimes in winter we buy some to give them.

You might want to go to an all flock feed with 18-20% protein.
Cut out all the extras.

 

[aart]

I've tried cutting out the occasional treat. If I don't bring them a treat sometimes I get attacked. If I bring fruits and vegetables to the other birds, but not them they attack me next time I go in.

The treats are creating a scenario of food aggression.
More reason to wean them off the treats.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I've tried cutting out the occasional treat. If I don't bring them a treat sometimes I get attacked. If I bring fruits and vegetables to the other birds, but not them they attack me next time I go in.

Wel that's even more of a reason to cut out the treats. Why are you letting chickens control you? They arent in charge. You need to be the one in charge. Mine move out of my way when I walk. I can put my hand in front on their beak while they're eating and dont get pecked. You wouldnt let a dog act this way.

 

[NatureGirl74]

Wel that's even more of a reason to cut out the treats. Why are you letting chickens control you? They arent in charge. You need to be the one in charge. Mine move out of my way when I walk. I can put my hand in front on their beak while they're eating and dont get pecked. You wouldnt let a dog act this way.

I haven't given them very many treats for about 4 months. Just their food. I gave them a lot of food and some bread last week because the temperature was down to -30 without the windchill.

 

[NatureGirl74]

Wel that's even more of a reason to cut out the treats. Why are you letting chickens control you? They arent in charge. You need to be the one in charge. Mine move out of my way when I walk. I can put my hand in front on their beak while they're eating and dont get pecked. You wouldnt let a dog act this way.

My chickens let me do that too. They don't care If I touch them. When they peck me they have to go even longer without treats. I use the treats for training. I like spending time watching them and I wanted to see if I could teach them simple commands. They have to work for the treat and prove that they deserve it. If they get mean I push them away. They are very gentle and sweet until they see food. Then they fight each other for it.

 

[NatureGirl74]

You could try crushed egg shells instead, some folks say their birds prefer that to oyster shell. I generally don't have issues with birds not wanting oyster shell though.

If I do that would they start eating their eggs

 

[Mamatomany123]

If I do that would they start eating their eggs

No, crush them up and they wont know that they're eggs. Usualy.chickens start eating eggs when they realize what's inside. Not because they enjoy the taste of the shell.