harrycatcat 31 Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 I have read that layers pellets contain enough grit and calcium for hens and it is not necessary to give them more. What is your opinion or what do you do ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_stig 6,614 Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 (edited) i would harry - any of these calcium grit ,lime sand, oyster shell, and recycle your eggs wash dry and crush them , -- plenty of fresh veg , and dig an area over for them to forage for earth worms now and again , grit and mineral helps them to digest food - seeds and grain , Edited March 23, 2009 by the_stig Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrycatcat 31 Posted March 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Thank you very much I appreciate that, I will get some asap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tis TM 8 Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Hiya, It really does depend on where you are keeping them. If they are free ranging over a paddock or yard say, you'd really be wasting money, as they do find exactly what they want and need from out scratching around, but if you have them in a small run, or arc, then yes deff get some. The eggs will be a much better quality, and hens will be healthier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrycatcat 31 Posted March 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Hiya, It really does depend on where you are keeping them. If they are free ranging over a paddock or yard say, you'd really be wasting money, as they do find exactly what they want and need from out scratching around, but if you have them in a small run, or arc, then yes deff get some. The eggs will be a much better quality, and hens will be healthier. Thank you I will get some. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest smelly nelly Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Hello! Calicium would be included in the layers pellets, you shouldnt need to add more. If you get lots of soft shelled egg try adding more, maybe the feed is lacking. But Its not uncommon to get a couple of soft shelled eggs for not perticular reason, especially from new hens that have not been laying for long. So add more calcium if it is a regular thing. But you will get the odd hen that will keep laying them what ever you do and for no reason apart for its a defect with the hen. She would go in the pot with me but that is your choice. Grit is not calcium. This is not included in layers pellets. chicken use grit to grind down food like teeth. They keep some in there crop where they slowly grind the food down. If you keep them in an enclosed run they will soon use up what is available and you will need to supply them with some. (keep a some out all the time and they will use when needed) If they are freerange they should find there own. With re using your old egg shells for calcium, roast them first, then grind them up very small. Its important that they dont resemble what they are, egg shell, as this can lead to egg eating. So roast them till there a lot darker then grind them up a plenty. What breed/cross you got? Cheers Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 1,930 Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 When I got my first bantams I also bought a massive bag of grit/oyster shell or whatever it is and none of mine have ever used it at all. I get the occasional soft shell but only from new birds and as was said above; if they're free range they get a much more varied diet, though some breeds are lazier than others. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrycatcat 31 Posted March 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 Hello! Calicium would be included in the layers pellets, you shouldnt need to add more. If you get lots of soft shelled egg try adding more, maybe the feed is lacking. But Its not uncommon to get a couple of soft shelled eggs for not perticular reason, especially from new hens that have not been laying for long. So add more calcium if it is a regular thing. But you will get the odd hen that will keep laying them what ever you do and for no reason apart for its a defect with the hen. She would go in the pot with me but that is your choice. Grit is not calcium. This is not included in layers pellets. chicken use grit to grind down food like teeth. They keep some in there crop where they slowly grind the food down. If you keep them in an enclosed run they will soon use up what is available and you will need to supply them with some. (keep a some out all the time and they will use when needed) If they are freerange they should find there own. With re using your old egg shells for calcium, roast them first, then grind them up very small. Its important that they dont resemble what they are, egg shell, as this can lead to egg eating. So roast them till there a lot darker then grind them up a plenty. What breed/cross you got? Cheers Neil I have got 3 Lohman brown hens and a cockerel of unknown parentage. I've only had them since Saturday but cant wait till they start laying. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meinnotts 1 Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 (edited) it is included in some of the layers pellets, whether theres enough or not i am no expert but from my point of view my hens are producing nice eggs with good shells and have been for all the time i have had them, 2 were bought as day old chicks and they are laying well too..........................all i do is feed them layers pellets, let them have a scrat around the garden as and when probably 50% of the time, and also throw a handful or two of calcium / grit bought from countrywide into the runs every few weeks....................seems to do the trick. Edited March 25, 2009 by meinnotts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Penda 3,367 Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 (edited) You should give grit to chickens any way mate sea weed powder mixed in with there food or even sprinkled on the grit is good as well, the grit is used for grinding up the food but i dont like giving it ti fowl when they are chicks i tend to use it when there well matured Edited March 25, 2009 by Penda Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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