When should I Start feeding Oyster Shell ?

[hcammack]

I was woundering when I should start providing oyster shell my birds are 6 weeks old now?

Henry

 

[arlee453]

Not until they start laying. The excess calcium can be harmful to their systems if given too early. They don't need it until they start to lay eggs

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Also after they start laying, check your layer food and see if it has any calcium included in the layer food. If it's already in your layer food and your chicken's egg shells are hard enough, you may not need to offer extra. My layer food has calcium included and our egg shelss are very hard without offering osyter shell.

 

[LoneCowboy]

If they free range a lot, or you give them lots of treats, you will need to suppliment their calcium even if it's in their food.

 

[hcammack]

ok I will check the feed label they wont be laying for a while and they do freerange and get treats.

Henry

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Quote:
Thanks LoneCowboy! I was under the impression that it could be offered free choice after they start laying only if their egg shells were thin. Our egg shells are nice and hard, so I haven't offered it to them free choice. I just assumed they were getting what they needed from their layer crumbles.