Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Bramble]

My three hens have permanent access to a grit/oystershell mix but they don't seem to eat much (if any)? I've had them for nearly four weeks and I shouldn't think they've eaten more than a half-a-teacup-full, if that. Is that normal or is it like trying to get children to eat their greens?

[Tricky]

Hi Bramble,

If your hens are free ranging then they will more than likely find their own.

As long as everything seems Ok then don't worry.You could always scatter some grit around areas they like to scratch around.

[jennydavies]

If you are feeding a good quality layers mash or pellet they will get what they need from their food. We have an extra pot of shell/grit in the run if they need it. I also throw some out for them to peck at if they want. You normally find they will get what they need themselves. I would not worry unless you constantly get "softies". Sometimes when they first start laying, you may get a softie now and again until the egg laying tackle settles down.

[Bramble]

Thank you all! My choox are ex-batts and I think they are laying incredibly well taking that into consideration. I have two eggs most days and I think that it's the same two girls that lay most days, the other one seems to lay mainly softies/thin shells although there have been days when i have had three perfect eggs (well done girls !). It really doesn't matter to me how many eggs I get, as they are pets, but I also do know that good egg laying is a sign that everything else is tickety-boo, so to speak. They are on ex-batt crumbs which they seem to love, but having read the posts on here about softies, I've just started to give them some of their crumbs mushed together with water, CLO and limestone flour, hoping that will help, but the softies were the reason for my query about grit.

[AmberSky]

They take as much or as little as they need, i bought a 25kg bag 2 years ago and i still have some left.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Don't worry, they will take just as much as they need. Leave the grit pot out as you have been doing and they will help themselves.

[coco]

I use to put grit in a pot for them but they kept knocking it over. I just throw some in the run every now and then and they all seem to be fine.