Feeding Your Chickens Oyster Shells

Great article, however when you have been giving your chickens access to calcium in a separate bowl and still get softshell eggs from two of your hens while the rest lay hard shell eggs, then what's next?

Great information, nutrition is so vital. Thank you. I didn’t know that grit has a totally different function. Thank you!

This is a great article. It covers all the information and answered even the question of the difference between grit and oyster shell. I happen to live in an oyster harvesting area, so free oyster shell is everywhere for me. However, we have almost no natural grit. I was wondering if I truly needed to offer a supply of both to the flock and now I know and understand why. Thanks!

Answered all the questions I've been meaning to ask! Esp. shell v grit, sourcing, who to feed it to and when, and alternative sources. Great article

Fantastic article!

Thanks for taking the time to write this.

Found this article to be very informative. My wife and I are getting our first chickens soon, so it was helpful to know when to start giving them the Oyster shell. I have been taking care of our daughter's chickens for awhile now, and I had learned by reading that I should be giving them access to both grit and the calcium, but this article went more in-depth than my general knowledge on the subject.

So much great information along with detailed instruction. I'm bookmarking this article for sure.

informative.

Good information, a bit more complicated than I think it needs to be. I have simply put out a bowl each of oyster shell (crushed and sold for poultry) and grit since my first chicks reached 16 weeks of age. Many moons ago. I feed a layer ration (16% protein usually and feather fixer during molt) and let the girls eat the supplements as they want, with the oyster shells placed high enough that chicks can't reach it. Once I get enough eggshells I crush those and pour some into the dish. I've never had any problems with the chickens or their eggs. My hens have free access to their run, maybe 12'x40', so they can get some "grit" there too.

Good informative article. Thanks for stressing the fact that a mixed flock is better off with oyster shell/crushed eggshells on the side. I have a flock that includes 10 week old pullets, regular layers, heritage breeds that don’t lay daily, and old girls living out their golden years with the flock. Excellent advice!

Thank you for this great information! We have 7 chickens currently laying, and we have been getting soft eggs from one girl despite feeding egg shells back to the flock. We've tried limestone from the feed store, but they will peck completely around it. This information will be a big help!

Be sure to pay attention to see if each bird actually eats added calicum on the side. Some birds will not.

Being new here at BYC and new with Ducks, I was very well educated on the subject of Oyster Shell and also on feed in general. Wonderful and informative article.
Thank you so much for your efforts!

Very informative article about oyster shells, other calcium sources and grit. Only one thing I missed, some info about calcium in feed in relation to laying hens/ not laying poultry and the necessity of other calcium sources like oyster shells.
I suppose it’s important to give real grit (stones) to chickens that don’t lay much, if the feed has enough calcium for laying hens in the industry.

Wonderful article on the benefits of feeding oyster shell.

Great info, thank you!

Very helpful and informative article with enough detailed information to do this myself and make decisions. thank you!

Very good article on feeding oyster Shell to chickens.