What do I do it my hands aren’t eating oyster shells?

[lynviviana]

I recently purchased Neutrenas 20% all flock feed And oyster shells in a separate feeder. However, I don’t notice my hens pecking at it. What should I do? This morning I tried to mix some oyster shells with the pellets in their feeders however I have roosters a part of my flock.Was this an OK thing to do?

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Just leave the oysters shells separate and they should figure it out! They only take what they need and if they don’t need it right now then they will eat it later when they actually do need it. Chickens know what’s best for themselves when it comes to things like this. So I would say just wait and see!

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Are your egg shells thin??

 

[lynviviana]

Are your egg shells thin??

Actually they look like tiny rocks

 

[lynviviana]

Just leave the oysters shells separate and they should figure it out! They only take what they need and if they don’t need it right now then they will eat it later when they actually do need it. Chickens know what’s best for themselves when it comes to things like this. So I would say just wait and see!

Should I take out what I mixed in the feeder?

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Probably. Do you have it right by the feeder or where do you keep it at?

 

[lynviviana]

I mixed a few handfuls of it with the pellets in their feeder I recently stopped filling up their feeders all the way because they tend to just waste it. So it’s not too much just enough for a while and then they get a little more throughout the day.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Keep a bowl of it right by their feeder.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Should I take out what I mixed in the feeder?

Yeah you should!

 

[3KillerBs]

They'll eat what they need.

I made a little feeder to hold it from an old bottle:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/feeders-and-scoops-from-recycled-bottles.76244/