Adding calcium when they won’t touch oyster shells

[Mountain Roost]

I mix the crushed version into wet feed and they do eat it.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I mix the crushed version into wet feed and they do eat it.

I was going to suggest exactly this. Worth a try before you buy anything else, at a minimum.

 

[BDutch]

I mix the crushed version into wet feed and they do eat it.

This is not a good idea. As Rosemarythym says: there’s already calcium in the layer feed they get. In general the amount of calcium in layer feed is rather high for hens that don’t lay daily/on most days.
If there is one pullet that lays soft shell eggs you should address this one. Ic its one of her first eggs, just wait. Young pullets often lay strange eggs.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

This is not a good idea. As Rosemarythym says: there’s already calcium in the layer feed they get. In general the amount of calcium in layer feed is rather high for hens that don’t lay daily/on most days.
If there is one pullet that lays soft shell eggs you should address this one. Ic its one of her first eggs, just wait. Young pullets often lay strange eggs.

If the issue is with one or part of the flock, I think the idea would be to only offer the "wetted food and calcium" to those that needed it.

I agree that mixing extra calcium in on top of what is already in layer feed is probably overdosing those who don't need the extra.

 

[FrostRanger]

If the issue is with one or part of the flock, I think the idea would be to only offer the "wetted food and calcium" to those that needed it.

I agree that mixing extra calcium in on top of what is already in layer feed is probably overdosing those who don't need the extra.

It'd probably be simpler just popping a calcium citrate + d3 pill in the affected bird's mouth

 

[Bigfishbobby]

I think I’ll just try picking up some fresh collards or kale and give it to them on Saturday mornings as a treat. Once a week and it’ll give them a little bump of vitamins and something to chase each other with.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

It'd probably be simpler just popping a calcium citrate + d3 pill in the affected bird's mouth

If you have those things on hand, potentially. But assuming you already have feed and oyster shell handy, you can start this right away.

 

[FrostRanger]

If you have those things on hand, potentially. But assuming you already have feed and oyster shell handy, you can start this right away.

The pills are better for getting a large amount of calcium in a bird quickly. Pretty much anywhere that sells human vitamins should sell it (and it's good to have in a first aid kit as a treatment for eggbinding anyways)

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

i crush my eggshells with a mortar and pestle (after drying thoroughly in the sun or oven) and mix it with crushed oyster shell. They eat a lot of it and my bag of oyster shell is still half full after 3 years of doing this. I have not tried flaked oyster shell though.

 

[Mountain Roost]

I mix the crushed version into wet feed and they do eat it.

This is not a good idea. As Rosemarythym says: there’s already calcium in the layer feed they get. In general the amount of calcium in layer feed is rather high for hens that don’t lay daily/on most days.
If there is one pullet that lays soft shell eggs you should address this one. Ic its one of her first eggs, just wait. Young pullets often lay strange eggs.

I am following the directions on the Manna Pro Calcium Bag which suggests adding 1 pound calcium to 20 pounds LAYER feed.