Many folks advocate feeding a 'flock raiser' feed, and supplementing with the oyster shells or crushed egg shells, to manage both non-layers and layers within a single flock. My flock is mixed: one hen (unknown age) who has never laid in 3 years, pullets just starting to lay, and older hens in the typical stages of winter-time sporadic laying.
I put flock raiser feed in all my feeders once the pullets arrived (laying hens were taking their "winter break"). Oyster shells have been available, either in the feeders or in separate containers. And crushed eggshells (from store-bought eggs !), too. I've never seen any of my birds eat or check out the oyster/egg shell bowls.
SInce I just purchased a new bag of Purina Layena feed for pullets who have started laying in the last few days, my thought is to keep everyone on layer feed. It has worked for me in the past and I can be fairly certain the girls are getting all the nutrients--calcium included-- rather than hoping they'll eat the oyster/egg shells. Even during times of molt and broodiness, which we have lots of, I've historically fed the layer feed and all seems ok.
Did I answer my own question? Comments
I put flock raiser feed in all my feeders once the pullets arrived (laying hens were taking their "winter break"). Oyster shells have been available, either in the feeders or in separate containers. And crushed eggshells (from store-bought eggs !), too. I've never seen any of my birds eat or check out the oyster/egg shell bowls.
SInce I just purchased a new bag of Purina Layena feed for pullets who have started laying in the last few days, my thought is to keep everyone on layer feed. It has worked for me in the past and I can be fairly certain the girls are getting all the nutrients--calcium included-- rather than hoping they'll eat the oyster/egg shells. Even during times of molt and broodiness, which we have lots of, I've historically fed the layer feed and all seems ok.
Did I answer my own question? Comments
