Started offering oyster shell, now what? :)

[Double Kindness]

I cut a gatorade bottle and pierced it twice and tied a zip tie through it and put it on the fence about shoulder height (of chicken not person)near the gate of the run. and put in oyster shell and egg shells free choice. My chickens seem to prefer egg shells though?

 

[threescompany]

Yikes you guys! So tonight I went to check for eggs and my Australorp that's been laying the most perfect beautiful eggs, laid a really odd one tonight. It was her 7th egg. It's pretty misshaped.....I'm worried she's not getting the calcium she's needing. I have it offered free choice and I need to get it in a better "feeder" because it keeps getting knocked over. I set it back up every night but tomorrow I'm looking for a more dependable solution to put the oyster shells in.

Should I be really worried about my girl?

I use this little waterer for grit and I have one for oyster shells when the need arises, my hens are only around 12-13 weeks. This is so easy and they can't knock it over! http://www.randallburkey.com/Metal-Waterers/products/281/

 

[RonP]

Often it takes a while for pullets to work their issues out.

I wouldn't worry yet, as long as everything they need is available.

 

[Beer can]

I would start feeding them layer feed, plus oyster shell. If your concerned abouf extra protien, suplement it. A little cottage cheese, let them free range for bugs, grow your own mealworms or use a maggot bucket. I would be concerned about having two roosters, are they fighting? That's not the big deal, overdoing the hens is. You might have to cut back to one roo, three hens isn't very many for two roos.
To tell you the truth I've never used oyster shel

 

[Beer can]

I've never used oyster shell and almost always have real hard shells. The layer feed brand does make a difference. I had three feed stores in the area and tractor supply. I use pellets, less mess. The one small guy store's pellets gave me hard shells, he switched suppliers and the shells got thin, I complained and he wanted to sell me oyster shells, so I switched stores. I had a Blue Seal mill not far fom me, awesome hard pellets, no dust, hard shells and few dollars cheaper coming straight from mill. They closed. Tried another feed mill store, good shells but the pellets were all busted up, lotta powder. Tractor Supply pellets gave good shells, a little broken up, but not too bad. I also have always bought the cheapest price. I will be trying mixed sprouts or fodder this winter to see if its cheaper and might have to feed shells, or figure out seeds to sprout that are high in calcium.

 

[WVDoug]

I have a rooster, 16 layers, and 7 chicks, so I'm feeding All Flock with crushed shells free choice.
I cut the bottom off a gallon milk jug and screwed it through the hardware cloth of the coop and into a board, to hold it in place about a foot off the ground. Works great, but I can't fill it up because the plastic is too flexible. That's fine, I only have to add some maybe twice a week.
I'll find something better soon.

 

[mandersn]

I have a question to add to this, I just put some oyster shell out for the hens and the Rooster was eating it too! Maybe they thought it was a treat. Im hoping the rooster will stay out of it.