[SurreyLass]

My girls dont eat it when its in a pot for them, so I end up scattering it about the run for them to find when they are digging - is this ok?

[Casey76]

hens will only eat what they need.  So if they're not eating it from the pot they probably don't need it at the moment.

Have you the oystershell and grit separate?  You may find that they eat more oystershell and less grit.  This may be more noticable if you have them separate.

[Helenaj]

I have a little hooded plastic dispenser which I have tied to the fence at head height as they never seemed to bother with it on the floor. They now use it quite regularly, but I have noticed that they pick out the shell and leave the grit. Being free range they probably don't need it so I'll mix far less of the grit in next time I fill it.

[Lindeggs]

Scattering the oyster shell around is fine.  I only keep mine in a heap so I can tell easily when they are running low and add some more.  By scattering it you might lose a fair bit into the dirt, but as it's not expensive that probably doesn't matter.