When to feed oyster shells...

[MissChick@dee]

Feeding grower to hens. Perhaps I’m wrong I feed grower until they are old enough to lay then I feed layers. I supplement calcium (oyster shell) also. I’m confused.

 

[snow5164]

I only shop from my feed mill , yes I know I could drive but I like my fresh grains and minerals mixed how I prefer (and I feel pretty spoiled to have that right here )rather then big name commercial food.

Half the products you guys talk about I’ve never seen , like pdz, nutri drench,
.... I can get barn lime and electrolyte powder for birds ,

Oh well it takes me 30 minutes to cross the border to the states but it feels like a strange new world

Since I’ve never shopped for “ all flock”,I didn’t know the percentages, I’m not complaining, just inquiring

 

[snow5164]

Feeding grower to hens. Perhaps I’m wrong I feed grower until they are old enough to lay then I feed layers. I supplement calcium (oyster shell) also. I’m confused.

Yes that’s true , but some people add chicks or roosters who shouldn’t have the calcium. That’s when it becomes messy , my hens on layer don’t hardly touch the calcium ,

To each their own

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Feeding grower to hens. Perhaps I’m wrong I feed grower until they are old enough to lay then I feed layers. I supplement calcium (oyster shell) also. I’m confused.

Lots of ways to feed. I think the difference can be whether you are feeding extras or not, and whether you have higher production birds.

Layer is formulated to be fed to actively laying hens as the sole ration. It's lower on protein so hens get what they need but they don't get fat. I believe it's mostly formulated for confined hens. You should switch them off it during the molt but many don't.

Backyard Chickens often get treats, and more exercise than the production hen. They also are kept longer. Production birds are often butchered after their second or third season so long term health isn't necessarily important.

I feed an All Flock because I don't need to switch feeds, I also don't need to provide something else for my roosters. It's a one size fits all ration. If I have chicks I can add a starter grower or continue with the flock ration. They can be used interchangeably.

With a layer sometimes I would get calcium deposits on my eggs. Since not every hen I own lays every day like production birds do they don't all need calcium every day at the same rate. Providing extra calcium in the form of oyster shells allows my birds to self regulate as necessary. It's the same as when I'm craving an orange, I probably need vitamin C. If a hen is craving calcium and no oyster shells are available hens will seek it out in other ways, generally by eating eggs.

Same with protein. If you feed a layer at 16% calcium, which is minimum daily requirements, than you add fruits, vegetables , scratch, than you dilute the protein too much. When deficient in protein hens will seek it out. If your birds are confined than often they will start eating eggs or each other to get protein. Many aggressive behaviors can start as a protein deficiency.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I only shop from my feed mill , yes I know I could drive but I like my fresh grains and minerals mixed how I prefer (and I feel pretty spoiled to have that right here )rather then big name commercial food.

Half the products you guys talk about I’ve never seen , like pdz, nutri drench,
.... I can get barn lime and electrolyte powder for birds ,

Oh well it takes me 30 minutes to cross the border to the states but it feels like a strange new world

Since I’ve never shopped for “ all flock”,I didn’t know the percentages, I’m not complaining, just inquiring

Sometimes it's best to feed what is closer and definitely what is fresher. Nothing wrong with a layer for many folks. Understanding the feeds can help you pick what's best for you. With chickens there's never one right way. There is one right way for me, and you need to do what's best for you. I have probably done everything wrong that is possible with chickens. I'm always learning, and I hope to help others avoid some of the mistakes I have made.

I'm 100% behind barn lime. It's my most valuable product. Keeps stuff dry, kills parasite and parasite eggs by drying them out and it's cheap. Love barn lime.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Lots of ways to feed. I think the difference can be whether you are feeding extras or not, and whether you have higher production birds.

Layer is formulated to be fed to actively laying hens as the sole ration. It's lower on protein so hens get what they need but they don't get fat. I believe it's mostly formulated for confined hens. You should switch them off it during the molt but many don't.

Backyard Chickens often get treats, and more exercise than the production hen. They also are kept longer. Production birds are often butchered after their second or third season so long term health isn't necessarily important.

I feed an All Flock because I don't need to switch feeds, I also don't need to provide something else for my roosters. It's a one size fits all ration. If I have chicks I can add a starter grower or continue with the flock ration. They can be used interchangeably.

With a layer sometimes I would get calcium deposits on my eggs. Since not every hen I own lays every day like production birds do they don't all need calcium every day at the same rate. Providing extra calcium in the form of oyster shells allows my birds to self regulate as necessary. It's the same as when I'm craving an orange, I probably need vitamin C. If a hen is craving calcium and no oyster shells are available hens will seek it out in other ways, generally by eating eggs.

Same with protein. If you feed a layer at 16% calcium, which is minimum daily requirements, than you add fruits, vegetables , scratch, than you dilute the protein too much. When deficient in protein hens will seek it out. If your birds are confined than often they will start eating eggs or each other to get protein. Many aggressive behaviors can start as a protein deficiency.

Thanks... I learn something new everyday. I do give treats with my layer feed. I give a protein (meat) greens(different types) for vitamins (esp. D) and a fruit, tomato’s, grapes etc. I try to keep treats balanced.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks... I learn something new everyday. I do give treats with my layer feed. I give a protein (meat) greens(different types) for vitamins (esp. D) and a fruit, tomato’s, grapes etc. I try to keep treats balanced.

Part of the fun of chicken keeping is developing your own way of doing things. I like to read everything, than do what makes sense to me. If it isn't working than I tweak it. My husbandry has changed over the years. It keeps it all fun and interesting.

 

[RWise]

I have a mixed age flock with a rooster (from 7 weeks to 9 years), I do not use layer feed. I do use purina startina game bird chow for growth and feathers with oyster shell and egg shell on the side. Those of any age that want some go get it, this includes the youngsters, and the rooster.

 

[aart]

I only shop from my feed mill , yes I know I could drive but I like my fresh grains and minerals mixed how I prefer (and I feel pretty spoiled to have that right here )rather then big name commercial food.

Pros and cons to 'local mill' vs 'bagged brand name'....fresher (we can hope) with local stuff, but they don't test the protein percentage in the grains or the final feed mix(at least my mill doesn't-they guess)...and who knows how old the premix(how those vitamins/minerals/amino acids are added to the grains) they use is? They often follow a general recipe, but the grains can vary in quality and nutrients depending on what's available at the time of mixing.

I'd love to buy most my feed from the local mill,
but it can get sketchy when you start asking the hard questions.