Question about oyster shells

[Ciqala]

My little flock is not laying yet, they're 16 weeks old. Is it okay to give them crushed oyster shells or am I suppose to wait until they are laying? Also, is it okay my two roosters eat them too?

 

[crested1990]

All oyster shells are is calcium. It also helps to break down food when it gets to the crop. Its good for all poultry and both roosters and hens alike.

 

[BrendaJ]

I keep a dish of it in the run by the food. The flock eats it as needed.

 

[crested1990]

Then you should be in great shape.

 

[redsoxs]

I didn't put mine out until they start laying - unsure if that's when you're supposed to or not.

 

[CarolynF]

My little flock is not laying yet, they're 16 weeks old. Is it okay to give them crushed oyster shells or am I suppose to wait until they are laying? Also, is it okay my two roosters eat them too?

If you put oyster shell out separately from their feed they will naturally begin to eat it when their body needs it. They'll starting eating it before they start laying since the egg shells are calcium heavy. I have a small flock so I have an empty tuna can wired to the fence. Oyster shell is different from grit, so if you're feeding table scraps and such be sure they get grit either from sand and gravel in the yard or by feeding store-bought grit in a separate dish. Remember, too, that you can feed the egg shells back to your birds. Just let them dry and smoosh them so they don't look like eggs any more.

Enjoy!

 

[Ciqala]

Thank you everyone