Too Much Oyster Shells!

[Aunt Angus]

I’ve been fermenting it and they love that. I do wonder if they are just overexcited about something new! They also have “eaten” the dust bath I made for them and yet not actually used it for bathing! Bird brains I guess! But of course my chickens are prodigies!!

Naturally. Mine are, too!
I guess if they don't continue to scarf it down, they'll be ok.

 

[Willowspirit]

I’ve been fermenting it and they love that. I do wonder if they are just overexcited about something new! They also have “eaten” the dust bath I made for them and yet not actually used it for bathing! Bird brains I guess! But of course my chickens are prodigies!!

I have a dish of oyster shell out all of the time. When it’s spilled and emptied, I refill it. Whenever I do, at least one Orpington runs over and starts beaking it up as if she’s never seen it before.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I have a dish of oyster shell out all of the time. When it’s spilled and emptied, I refill it. Whenever I do, at least one Orpington runs over and starts beaking it up as if she’s never seen it before.

Another prodigy!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Another prodigy!

 

[CatWhisperer]

You could have a flock of these soon!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Another prodigy!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

okay so I filled their crock back up with oyster shell this morning and said...go for it! They're so busy eating the dust bath (sand, dirt, diatomaceous earth) that they didn't even notice.... prodigies!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

I wanted to say too... when they were baby chicks, I fed a medicated crumble and also the Scratch & Peck Starter. I was so frustrated that they wouldn't eat the beautiful organic Scratch & Peck and they clearly preferred the medicated soy garbage crumble! I mentioned this to three different people and the third person said-- are you fermenting it? And I wasn't! I hadn't done my research in that area. Once I started fermenting, they ate it and we haven't turned back. I've had all kinds of animals in my life and I don't believe that one type of feed is best--each animal and situation is different. But so far I think the Scratch & Peck supplemented with lots of veggies and free ranging when I can supervise--this is a good fit for my birds. They're weird and not really into meal worms (yet) however they LOVE earth worms! And bugs they can catch in the air. Also recently tried the fly soldier larvae and a few were into that. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

My prodigies specialize in finding creative places to lay eggs. After I got only one egg in 3 weeks, I investigated the darkest, most difficult-to-reach corner of the run, behind and under the ramp. 16 eggs! I blocked that spot and a subsequent one.

Recently I’ve been keeping them inside for longer and longer because egg production was low. We’ve noticed one of my Buff Orps often went off by herself into the woods behind the garage. Today she came out of the woods and started singing her egg song. That’s when I knew for sure.

I said to DH, “I’ll bet there are a dozen.” Nailed it. 12 even. Scrambled egg treats tonight, plenty of eggs left. 4 looked clean enough to salvage for human consumption, and they didn’t float.

These prodigies!