Warm boot recommendations please

[Chris C]

We got our first hens the weekend, we got some oyster grit for them (recommended at the feed store over mixed poultry grit). Just wondering do we need to give mixed poultry grit as well or will the oyster grit do the job of grinding the food in their crops??

 

 

Chris.

[The Pearsons]

Are you feeding layer pellets? If so that is a balanced food and you should not need to add anything else, especially if your hens have access to the outside. Mine pick up soil and tiny stones etc for their crops (to help grind up the food). I do also have a tub of oystershell for them as I think the calcium means the shells are thicker and harder.

 

Hope I got that right - I'm sure I will be corrected if I didn't.

 

Helen in Hume

[Laura & CTB]

I keep a small bowl of poultry grit mixed with oyster shell in their run, they do seem to get through it.

[AJuff]

I mix grit, oyster shells and garlic granules into their pellets. It is always eaten and so far we have had no soft shelled eggs.

[Hen Watch]

I use both.

 

I put mixed grit (which includes a bit of shell) in a bowl. They eat loads even though they free range nearly all day.

 

However, last week we were on holiday for a week and my chooks were confined to barracks with a neighbour feeding them. Even though they were given mixed grit we came back to some soft shelled eggs. So I have bought a bag of oyster shell and giving them a handfull a day and within 2 days eggs back to normal strength. (PS. I also use baked egg shells which I cook in the oven for 10 mins and crush up.)