[davepitch]

is this an esential part of the hen's diet and should we look to give it as a supplement?
Where can I source it from?

[Vember]

Hi Dave

Yes Calcium is essential it helps in the formation of the shell.
I leave oyster shell & bird grit (helps mash up food in the crop) down for my girls all the time. I get mine from the local farm supplies shop

They should in theory get all the calcium they need from the layers pellets & the oyster shell, but on occasion it my be necessary to give calcium in theform of an additional suppliment.
Such times when you are getting soft shelled eggs more than just the odd one

I have limestone powder on standby for this you can get it from most horsey feed type shops.
I will root out a link for you that tells you how much etc...

Sarah

[Vember]

Here we go the link

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=20429&highlight=limestone+flour

Aunt Sally mentions in that the amounts of the flour that she uses


Sarah

[muntjac]

buy a sack of oestra oyster shell and throw a few handfulls ina hopper and let them do thier own thing ,,, " werks for me " de ja vue moment

[Foxy]

buy a sack of oestra oyster shell and throw a few handfulls ina hopper and let them do thier own thing ,,, " werks for me " de ja vue moment

crikey munty talking French now! wots 'appened???

[Roughlee Handled]

Ooo LAR LAR

[compostqueen]

I got some (thanks Mickwood) and mixed it with the grit I already had and it does work. They seem to eat a lot of it  :shock:   It's only Ostrea if it says it on the bag. I got Mick to check