Should I put oyster shell and grit in my hens food?

[triplepurpose]

Question: if you mix it in the food, how do you know how much to put in there? The only reason I keep it separate is because I don't know how much to mix in.

In my experience, you don't really. Hence the free choice theory. I had some thin shells recently, and started giving oyster shell on the side free choice and the problem has disappeared. Sometimes they eat a little bit, sometimes they don't seem to touch it for a while at all. I think it's much easier to let them decide how much, and it's worked great, at least for this chicken man...

 

[Chickenosaurus]

it would be VERY GOOD protien for egg laying production , calcium for bones and over all just beneficail.

 

[dcrow]

i use it mixed in every few refills of the feeder they kick out what they don't want and when i don't see any on the ground i put some more in not alot but a small hand full i guess its about once a month

 

[little boy farm]

it is a great idea for that but my Rhode Island Reds do the same thing, they only eat it when the pieces are like rice sized

 

[galefrances]

Chickens Are Sweet

Thanks!...I read through the links, very helpful information.

 

[galefrances]

I screwed two of the chick feeders with the oval holes in them onto the wall in my coop. They are plastic, and open, so I can fill them. I simple attached them with screws and washers. One is filled with grit, and one has the shell in it. They are eating it, and I have no issues with soft shells.

I like this idea. I had been thinking of buying a small plastic bowl and screwing it into one of the posts, but I have an old feeder with the oval holes so I'll just put that to good use.

 

[galefrances]

In my experience, you don't really. Hence the free choice theory. I had some thin shells recently, and started giving oyster shell on the side free choice and the problem has disappeared. Sometimes they eat a little bit, sometimes they don't seem to touch it for a while at all. I think it's much easier to let them decide how much, and it's worked great, at least for this chicken man...

This will definately make it easier. No guessing games.

 

[dragonlair]

I mix the eggs shells in with the layer feed because the feed just doesn't give them enough calcium and the shells were thin and easily broken. If I fed the shells in a separate container, they didn't eat it and they won't touch oyster shells at all. They do pick the shells that they need out of the feed and leave the rest. The eggs are much better now.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Chickens Are Sweet

Thanks!...I read through the links, very helpful information.

You are welcome!

 

[sw33tp3a]

The perfect answer to my question! Thank you ever so much. I wish I had read this before I went & bought grit...I could have saved a few bucks and used some of the dirt road. I'll know better next time. Thanks again.