Shell not hard?

[ChlorophyllChick]

gmendoza- It is probably not a problem with them not getting enough calcium as she said her first eggs had great, hard shells. When they all of the sudden start laying a shell-less egg it usually means they laid the egg prematurely. The shell is put onto the egg last. Stress can cause them to lay early, but it is very common in young hens just starting to lay who haven't gotten everything worked out yet. It can happen regardless of the amount of calcium they are getting. It is generally recommended to offer oyster shell free choice, they know when they need it and will eat it on their own. I still have one pullet who will not lay for awhile and do not want to force feed her calcium, too much calcium can damage their organs. If you have roos, they should not be fed the extra calcium either, only hens currently laying.

This thread discusses how mixing it with their food can cause them to get too much and the fact that they will eat it on their own when they need it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=352503

 

[srpaint]

Quote:
How would this effect my other chickens and other animals eating the food? I have chickens as young as 2 months old eating the same feed. So if I put the oyster shell in with the feed they would be getting it too. That is why I have not done so. Also, why I have not switched to layer feed. I have ducks and guineas that eat the feed too. Is it ok for the younger chickens to be eating the oyster shells in their feed?

Luckily I do not have the poo problem. Mine are free range and I have a spot outside the coop that I feed, water, and have the oyster shells there.

 

[gmendoza]

Quote:
How would this effect my other chickens and other animals eating the food? I have chickens as young as 2 months old eating the same feed. So if I put the oyster shell in with the feed they would be getting it too. That is why I have not done so. Also, why I have not switched to layer feed. I have ducks and guineas that eat the feed too. Is it ok for the younger chickens to be eating the oyster shells in their feed?

Luckily I do not have the poo problem. Mine are free range and I have a spot outside the coop that I feed, water, and have the oyster shells there.

Well then you are lucky you can free range. for ones who cannot will have poo in their oyster shell. I know,mine dont free range.

On the other hand,I should have mentioned I only do this maybe twice a week. Very insignificant for any developing problems associated with too much calcium, but I never had problems.

By the way are you monitoring your free range 2 month old chickens 24/7 against them eating the oyster shell? do you definatly know if they are eating it or not?can you say you monitor them every second? noone can say this,nor can they say that they are not eating it free-self serve style.maybe your 2 month olds are eating it.maybe your ducks and guineas are eating it.you can never tell.

Ive seen my 2 months olds eat it,and my ducks and guinea,with no ill effects.now with what I give them,with 30+ chickens,two turkeys,3 guineas,3 ducks,and about 5 -2 month olds,2-4 spoonfulls per pound of food twice per week isnt a crime,nor hurts.

my two cents.

 

[srpaint]

I hope you did not take my questions as not believing you. I asked them cause I truly was interested in the answers. This is my first time having chickens and I have a lot to learn.

No I do not watch them 24/7. I do not know if the others are eating it or not. But when you said putting it in the feed is a way of force feeding it. Well, that is why I wondered how it would effect the others as they would for sure be eating it.

 

[gmendoza]

Quote:
Not at all. I credit this as actual intellectual conversation.No harm intended or sent.

when you put the factors of 2-4 spoonfulls per 1lb of food per twice a week for 30+chickens, two turkeys,3 guineas,3 ducks,its miniscule.