When is the right time to feed oyster shell to chickens?

[#lovemychickens]

Our chickens are 19 weeks old and still no eggs. Although I believe one is very close to laying. I put oyster shell out for them and most of them are eating it. They are still on chick starter/ grower feed. I have about 20 pounds left before I switch to layer feed. Would giving them oyster shell hurt them if they are not currently laying eggs? Could that hurt their organs since they haven't started laying yet?

 

[staceyj]

Generally you don't have to start oyster shell until somebody lays an egg. Don't mix it with feed, just provide it in a separate dish.
And it's fine to finish up that bag of feed , with the weather getting colder and days getting shorter, a few weeks of extra protein sure won't hurt.

 

[#lovemychickens]

Should I take the oyster shell away since no one is laying yet?

 

[staceyj]

You don't have to go out in the dark!
But I'd take it up tomorrow.
What kind of pullets do you have ?
Some lay earlier than others. Mine were "late blooming breeds" lol

I thought it was never going to happen!!!!
This is still all pretty new to me too and I am constantly learning.
Some are saying that with young birds of some breeds this time of year with shorter days and winter coming, some might not lay until spring!

 

[#lovemychickens]

I have 8 chickens. I have 2 of each- Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, silver laced Wyandotte, and barred rock. One of the Rhode Island Reds is squatting and has a really big and bright red comb. I felt her pelvic bones and you can get two fingers between them, almost three. All three of these signs makes me think she will start laying soon. I could be wrong too since this is all new to me too! First time chicken mama!

 

[jvls1942]

no need to take the oyster shells away.
they won't eat them if they don't feel they need them. and if they do eat them, there is no harm in that.
shorter daylight will delay and even stop the laying cycle.
chickens need more than 14 hours of light per day to lay.
some people provide extra light at some time of the day to obtain this.
others frown upon the extra light.
I say, do what you want to do..
but even with the extra light, some pullets will not start to lay in the fall/winter.

 

[staceyj]

Your RIR sounds ready, let's hope she decides to gift you some eggs instead of waiting til Spring!

I have some Buff Orpingtons.
They are late bloomers. Mine were 26-27 weeks old when they finally mailed in that first mortgage payment!

 

[lazy gardener]

Our chickens are 19 weeks old and still no eggs. Although I believe one is very close to laying. I put oyster shell out for them and most of them are eating it. They are still on chick starter/ grower feed. I have about 20 pounds left before I switch to layer feed. Would giving them oyster shell hurt them if they are not currently laying eggs? Could that hurt their organs since they haven't started laying yet?

You are doing just fine. No, it won't hurt your birds if they eat those oyster shells! However I have a follow up ? for you. Do they have access to grit? If not, you may want to supply some. Generally, birds will only eat oyster shell if they need it.

One factor that may be an issue for a small flock owner is the fact that a bag of feed lasts such a long time. Poultry feed starts to oxidize after milling. 6 weeks after milling, the nutrients in the feed are breaking down.

 

[#lovemychickens]

I don't have grit for them but they free range and when they are locked in their run there are sections of dirt/ small pebbles. Will that work? Or should I put a container of grit too? It will probably take me another 3-4 weeks to go through that feed.. hopefully sooner now that the weather is getting cold and their are less bugs for them. The weather man is calling for snow tonight! Ugh!

 

[venymae]

I think that would be fine as long as sand/pebbles are available