emchook Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I have a large Parrot D cup in the chooks run which is always filled with oyster shell and grit and freely available to them. I filled it to the brim yesterday and it has all gone ! I noticed that this morning one of the chooks just launched herself at it as soon as I opened the eglu door ! Are they gearing up for a laying frenzy ? They dont seem to have eaten very much of their pellets ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I've noticed the same thing I filled up with enough to last 2 or 3 weeks which used the last of mine up it's just about gone and like you one of mine went to go in to the extension run where the feed is but turned on her heels and had a good feed of grit which is really out of character nothing gets in the way of breakfast not even the ugly human that feeds them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaJane Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Ooooh, same here! My greediest girl has been diving straight into the grit each morning - even foresaking live mealworms And pellet consumption has definitely declined...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 How Bizarre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Are they free ranging less because of the weather? If so, theres your answer, as they are not foraging for grit in the garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I think it is FR - mine went mad for the grit today, as they weren't allowed out. Yesterday they were out all day and ignored it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Are they free ranging less because of the weather? If so, theres your answer, as they are not foraging for grit in the garden hadn't thourght about that And pellet consumption has definitely declined...... It's gone up here but I've now got 4 laying and they had a sprout tree to peck at all week to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 It could be the lack of FR. They havent been out unsupervised much as too many foxes around at the mo . ! But even so ... A whole cage cup of grit/oystershell in 12 hours ! Seems like a bit of overkill to me ... but hey ho .. they are strange little things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock N Rose Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Mine have been out and about free ranging more than normal lately but have had the same thing. They all crazy for the grit so it seems...hmmm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Same here, mine have been FR and laying well. Still have to keep topping up the grit pot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I wouldn't put any more grit out for a while. Too much in the crop can occasionally lead to an impaction. Just let them top up when they are free ranging. If you are worried about their calcium intake, you can give them a soluble calcium supplement such as Zolcal D in their drinking water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
