vinegar in the water and oyster shell in feed

[bantybabylover]

i know you all have talked about vinegar in the water supply will help with digestion and health, but how much is good. i have been using 2 tablespoons per gallon. but i want the correct amount to optimize their health. they are so robust and growing daily it seems. i also want to know when do i start giving the oyster shell mix to their feed. no one is laying yet, they are four months old most of them, i still have some 2 and 3 month olds and dont want to give too much calcium to the youngsters and cause kidney problems. i was wondering if the reason for no eggs is i havent been feeding the oyster shells

 

[Chick Charm]

You can double the amount of vinegar and still be ok. However you can give them too much.

Provide oyster shell after they begin to lay. They will eat it when they need it. They eat very little oyster shell. As a good principal to follow do not feed layer feed until they are mature enough to lay.

You are still months away from the beginning of laying the first egg. Many chicken lay the first egg around 5-6 months old some even later. It takes another month to get everything ironed out for consistency.

Wish ya the best.

 

[bantybabylover]

thank you, i am trying as a new chicken mother to do my best. after a rough start with coccidiosis and some heartbreaking losses i am careful to keep my flock healthy and happy. i have discovered some of them have been mislabeled in breed. but worry about my orpingtons and gold stars, i have read they need more calcium than others. so maybe four tablespoons then

 

[Folly's place]

They need water, not extra vinegar. Oyster shell is always fed in a separate container, for laying hens. Feed your chicks flack raiser until most of them are laying, with oyster shell on the side. I never add vinegar, and Never felt the need for it. Mary