Pullet devours eggshells like treats when given as supplemental calcium

[topochico225]

Hi!

I have a breeding trio of Mille Fleur d’Uccles, one cockerel and 2 pullets, one of whom is laying. They’ve just graduated to Dumor all flock feed from MannaPro grower feed. Since there isn’t the amount of calcium needed to sustain healthy egg laying in the girls, I will put in some baked eggshells in a little cup in the run. However, when I do this, the one laying pullet will eat the entire cup by herself, *maybe* letting the other pullet have a couple beakfuls on a good day. It’s one of those little plastic condiment cups like the ones at restaurants given with sauces. I don’t fill it completely anymore like I used to since she just devours it. I’ve been giving about half or 1/3 of the cup probably 2 or 3 times a week. She will not touch oyster shell.

My concern is that she’s eating the eggshells like a lovely treat. Is this okay? Since I’m giving them as a supplement to their feed, I don’t want her to overdo it.

This is probably a silly question, but I really care about these birds and want them to have a long and happy life.

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have you tried mixing both oyster shell and eggshell in that cup? If so, does she still pick her way around the oyster shell?

 

[topochico225]

Have you tried mixing both oyster shell and eggshell in that cup? If so, does she still pick her way around the oyster shell?

She does. For a while she wouldn’t even come near the OS

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hmm, well, assuming you have the time to do so... with just the 2 pullets to monitor in this case, might have to just offer a smaller amount of eggshell overall so the glutton doesn't overindulge. If the other pullet starts having shell issues, you can probably feed her some privately to keep her calcium levels up while not letting the other one go nuts on it.

 

[Randol]

Hi!

I have a breeding trio of Mille Fleur d’Uccles, one cockerel and 2 pullets, one of whom is laying. They’ve just graduated to Dumor all flock feed from MannaPro grower feed. Since there isn’t the amount of calcium needed to sustain healthy egg laying in the girls, I will put in some baked eggshells in a little cup in the run. However, when I do this, the one laying pullet will eat the entire cup by herself, *maybe* letting the other pullet have a couple beakfuls on a good day. It’s one of those little plastic condiment cups like the ones at restaurants given with sauces. I don’t fill it completely anymore like I used to since she just devours it. I’ve been giving about half or 1/3 of the cup probably 2 or 3 times a week. She will not touch oyster shell.

My concern is that she’s eating the eggshells like a lovely treat. Is this okay? Since I’m giving them as a supplement to their feed, I don’t want her to overdo it.

This is probably a silly question, but I really care about these birds and want them to have a long and happy life.

Thanks!

I rinse the shell out and feed it to mine, they love them and never had a problem.