Should I start offering oyster shells?

[Vian]

My RIR hens are 20 weeks now. Their combs and waddles are much brighter red and bigger than they were only a few weeks ago. I haven't seen any of the squatting behavior yet, or heard the egg song (though one was squawking really loud yesterday for no aparent reason), so would it be safe to start offering oyster shells? I plan to leave them on grower feed and just supplement with oyster shells and probably their own crushed egg shells, since I've heard the extra protein in grower feed can be beneficial for them (especially in the cold northwest winters). Thanks!

 

[pdirt]

At 20 weeks, I don't think it matters much. Yes, it's safe. Put the oyster shell out now or just wait until you get your first egg. They aren't going to eat much of it unless they feel the need for it (they're laying eggs).

 

[rides2far]

I put mine out at 16 weeks because I have 2 sex links. They just started laying at 18 weeks. Eggs are small, but normal. I have someone else who is laying soft shelled eggs. I guess they aren't eating the oyster shell. I just started mine on Scratch n Peck layer mix. They love it, but wow it's expensive

The rest of mine aren't laying yet, so I hope the layer mix of oyster shell will help harden their shells. I'd put it out now if I were you.

 

[tsmith91]

Yeah I would go ahead and put it out I waited until mine started squatting to put mine out I didn't see much gone until they started laying I will be leaving mine on the grower as well