Roosters eating oyster shell???

[pmpkinchick]

This is probably a silly question but I'm new to chickens. My flock ranges in age from 8-16 weeks. Yesterday one hen was clucking like crazy. I think she's getting ready to lay
Anyway, I put some oyster shells in the run and 3 hens started to eat it right away. Then of course the roos had to get in on the action. Is it ok for them to be eating it? Is this normal, or are my roos crazy(like their keeper)??? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Hopefully I'll get my first egg soon.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Yes, roosters will eat oyster shell just like hens. They need calcium too.

Good luck awaiting the eggs!

 

[pmpkinchick]

Thank you for the quick response. I'm a little chicken crazy (or not so crazy after finding this site). I just don't want to lose any because of something I did!!!

 

[RJSorensen]

If a bird ingests more of something than they 'need' it will just be passed through the chicken as waste. To a point, I believe they are capable of regulating and finding the 'things' they need. As per your young hens going after the oyster shell, they instinctually know when they need to add such items to their diet, provided it is available to them.

So, the roster will be fine, roosters have been getting by on laying feed for a long time, it has calcium added to it in many instances. Never hurts to ask, and or find out more, just for the sake of your flock.

RJ

 

[pmpkinchick]

If a bird ingests more of something than they 'need' it will just be passed through the chicken as waste. To a point, I believe they are capable of regulating and finding the 'things' they need. As per your young hens going after the oyster shell, they instinctually know when they need to add such items to their diet, provided it is available to them. 

So, the roster will be fine, roosters have been getting by on laying feed for a long time, it has calcium added to it in many instances. Never hurts to ask, and or find out more, just for the sake of your flock.

RJ

Thank you, everyone on here is great! I know some of these questions are repeats aand silly, but no one has made me feel ignorant for asking. Thank you for that.