How much is too much oyster shell

[Mrs. K]

I swear mine slowly melts in the rain, sometimes they peck at it. How are your egg shells? You might talk to your county extension agent and get j to our water tested. I agree, I think it is the water.

 

[Mrs. K]

Your water

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Are you keeping your OS outside? Store it in the coop. I offer mine in gravity-fed cat feeders.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

A 50-lb. bag lasts me about a year, for 22 birds.

 

[Perris]

Ok so my chickens are about 6 mos old and since I’ve been giving them oyster shells and grit, they devour it it with in a day or two. I have 22 hens and have had chickens over a decade. I’ve never seen this before. I put out a pound or two each and it’s gone the next day. Anyone have an idea?

It suggests to me that they find in the oyster shell some nutrient that is insufficient or absent in their normal feed. Although calcium is the obvious mineral, there are lots of possible micronutrient candidates.

Try offering them a tin of sardines (in whatever, it really doesn't matter if it's oil, brine or tomato sauce) and see if they still need the oyster shell after that.