Fed Layer Feed Too Soon

[Chickenmumma7]

It's really hard to tell that they're eating it (the OS) bc they don't need much. Only over time you will realize the level is going down, oooooh soooo slooowly! You'll think they're not taking any, but they are. My 50# bag probably lasted me a year or two. But they're eating it, yes they are.

What kind of feed do you use?

 

[nuthatched]

I keep my grit and oyster shell (OS) in the coop to keep it dry. Some people seem to say it dissolves in the rain.

Are those people aware that oysters....live under the sea?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Are those people aware that oysters....live under the sea?

Acid rain?

 

[nuthatched]

Acid rain?

Bit of stretch...

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's pretty obvious to find right outside of the coop near the ground. Should I place it somewhere specific?

I'd put it somewhere close to wherever feed is, they'll find it. If you want to make it even more appealing, you can put some crushed eggshells in there as some birds prefer that to oyster shell.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Are those people aware that oysters....live under the sea?

True, but they are not ground up…

 

[Granny23]

No you didn't "ruin" them by giving them layer at 5 months. The bird that passed could have had other issues though it's hard to diagnose after the fact.

My own preference is not to give any layer until I've confirmed half the pullets are laying, but I handle feed differently than some of the other posters (I feed both layer and grower and alter the amounts based on season).

If you would prefer to use layer feed, and have all laying age pullets/hens, that works fine for many folks. Or if you would prefer to use all flock, that's also fine. I would still have a source of calcium on the side regardless of feed choice.

If you cannot find "all flock" keep in mind it's all about labels. Grower feed, some starter feed, can be perfectly fine substitutes as well. Mainly the difference is calcium % - layer is usually around 3.5-4%, all flock/grower/starter is usually around 1%. The actual name of the feed doesn't matter, the nutritional panel does.

I have 8 chickens now, my 4 three year olds and 4 babies are almost 5 months.
When they are laying I grind up their shells and sprinkle some of it on the vegetables I give them and I add a cup of BSFL (black soldier fly larvae) to that. . They also have access to oyster shell always available.
I'm feeding lay crumbles now but I may try the pellets.

 

[Sic]

Oyster shell does dissolve when wet, then turns into oyster cement. Ask me how I know

That isn't oyster shell, I would stop buying it. Ask me how I know

 

[tlcmurphy]

That isn't oyster shell, I would stop buying it. Ask me how I know

I buy Manna Pro oyster shell. It just needs to be in a container that drains if it gets wet. Live and learn…

 

[Apis mellifera]

My flock never touched oyster shell even with just flock raiser. I still have the same old dusty bag from years ago.