Posted: 7/23/2012 7:01:02 AM EDT
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I let my birds go full free range. Roost in a tree and all.
I tapered off the layer food and went 100% "find it yourself" with additional table scraps. The egg shells got real thin and eventually got so bad they wouldn't come out unbroken. What is the old time solution to get back on track to independent birds? For now, I've reintroduced limited layer food, but I'd like to keep them on a diet that comes 100% from inside my property. |
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Quoted:
I've heard of crushed oyster shell, but didn't think they'd pick it up on its own. Does it have to be mixed with another food? Is there another nutrient/mineral source for those away from the coast? Should I be crushing and recycling the egg shell too? I keep oyster shell in a 'chicken feeder' that hangs in my coop. I don't do anything special to it. They eat it whenever they want it. I think that I have only filled it once, maybe twice, in a year. You buy oyster shell at your local feed store or tractor supply. TRG |
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Quoted: I've heard of crushed oyster shell, but didn't think they'd pick it up on its own. Does it have to be mixed with another food? Is there another nutrient/mineral source for those away from the coast? Should I be crushing and recycling the egg shell too? I use the old egg shells, but some think that this can lead to them pecking and eating the fresh eggs before you get them. i have only had a couple that were egg peckers and they went off to freezer camp or if they were fairly young I left a wooden egg in the nest at all times and had my wife check eggs on the hour so all they would have to peck was wood and they don't like the headaches. So use this method at your own risk. You can find crushed oystershell at any feed store/co-op. |
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I used to keep 2 cups in an area that was dry near the feeder. One had grit and the other oyster shell. They seemed to find it on their own and eat it when they needed it. Never really had any issues with brittle shells. Given that you are letting them forage, I figured you might want to consider spreading it out where they can get to it on their own.
Sure, you can go natural and get your own fresh shells to crush. But the bagged stuff is cheap, goes a long way, and easy to get from the feed store. I think others have also used bone meal. |
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TSC sells it, you can mix it in with there scratch feed. or any of the pellet or crumble will have it in it already. I also add to my feed just becuase it makes for better eggs.
On free range birds ( like mine where at one time). I'd get a bag of scratch feed and add some to it. They for sure will eat it. Just pile it up at the bottom of there roosting tree. |
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Quoted:
I used to keep 2 cups in an area that was dry near the feeder. One had grit and the other oyster shell. They seemed to find it on their own and eat it when they needed it. Never really had any issues with brittle shells. Given that you are letting them forage, I figured you might want to consider spreading it out where they can get to it on their own. Sure, you can go natural and get your own fresh shells to crush. But the bagged stuff is cheap, goes a long way, and easy to get from the feed store. I think others have also used bone meal. I've thought about adding mine directly to their water and let it dissolve, but, I dunno if this will make them grow solid eggs. TRG |
