Human calcium supplements

[frias]

My vet has said it's OK to give calcium tablets intended for humans to the chooks but I need to find out the amount myself as he doesn't know. I bought some calcium powder from him but it costs £14 for a VERY little tub. My ex-batts are laying a lot of softies which isn't good for them and I have tried limestone flour, crushed eggshells, eggs, sardines and of course the obvious oyster shell which the girls just ignor.
Anyone got any idea how to work this out or is there a website that would tell me?
I do remember I had a cat once that was put on the same tablets I was taking so I didn't buy them from the vet. Same dose as me too although she was a very small cat and I am not a very small human. These weren't calcium tablets though.

[HayleyB]

I haven't a clue maybe you can get the calcium powder from an internet source as vets do put a BIG premium on stuff.

I'd be inclined to give them yoghurt..

[lynda66]

well if you think a human body is huge and probably about the size of 10 ish chooks laid on top of each other .... starts using toes ........

maybe use 2 per day crushed up and if that doesn't work add more i don't think you can overdose on calcium as it's used all over the body.

[MaureenHall]

Don't you need Vitamin D to absorb calcium properly too? (or am I thinking of something else?)

[bluemoon]

Don't you need Vitamin D to absorb calcium properly too? (or am I thinking of something else?)

I was just about to suggest this, Mo. Yes you do need Vitamin D (or at least we humans do. I'm just guessing for chickens) I'm currently giving mine some cod liver oil, just a couple of teaspoons full, poured over a small amount of corn and shaken until it coats them. I'm doing it once or twice a week, just so it is something they get used to. They love it and in future it will be a good way to make things such as Calcium powder or poultry spice stick to the corn and ensure it is ingested too.

[MaureenHall]

Bloomin' good idea I think I'll try that too - not for me, for any of the chooks who might need it!

[Hilary B]

Don't you need Vitamin D to absorb calcium properly too? (or am I thinking of something else?)

The world's best source of Vitamin D is free, and just becoming more available than it has been for MONTHS. While fish oils and a few other foods will provide vitamin D, why pay money for what they can get sitting in the sunshine?

[RedThorn]

a reasonable costing calcium powder is Limestone flour available from horse feed shops

[frias]

I've been using Limestone flour since I got the girls over a year ago. However it just doesn't seem enough. I have been mixing any suppliments with olive oil but will try cod liver oil. We are getting lots of sunshine here in Dorset at the moment and the girls spend most of their day enjoying it. (As do I)

[RedThorn]

sorry just re-read you post to much going on at the mo... sorry

[bluemoon]

I'd agree that sunshine is your best source of vitamin D, but it's not always available in the quantities we'd like. I bought some cheap, supermarket own brand cod liver oil which was less than half the price of the branded variety. I'm just giving mine a little at the moment, 2 teaspoons between 11 chooks, twice a week, it's more so that they will acquire the taste for it ready for the darker months. None of them are laying yet, so I don't know if they need suppliments or not, just trying to cover all the bases and stop them from getting faddy.

[MaureenHall]

Was just going to ask if any were laying yet and if the cod liver oil affects the taste of the egg. I wouldn't like fishy-tasting eggs in my cakes

[bluemoon]

If you'd asked this yesterday I'd have said no eggs, but today..... TA DA!!! One very brown, but very small egg. Haven't a clue who laid it, but I'd guess it was Agnes, (one of the copper blues) she's been acting odd all week and I've often wondered if she's a week or two older than the others, she was the first to develop something approaching a 'proper' comb and after much complaining in the first few days she quickly became top of the pecking order. They were all supposed to be 23 weeks last Wednesday, but the breeder said Marans aren't the earliest breed to come into lay. I couldn't say if it tastes fishy or not though, it's currently in an egg-cup - leaning sideways because the egg-cup is way too big - and sitting in the fridge waiting to be shown to all my family and mates (who will be expected to humour me and say 'Wow... an egg!').
OH discovered it as he was dealing with them whilst I fed treats to Elvis, and I have to admit I'm feeling a tad jealous... finding eggs was supposed to be my job. I'm embarrassed to say that the first thing I said was 'Ooh, it looks just like a real one.'

[lynda66]

'Ooh, it looks just like a real one.'

i love the way they look just like real ones ..... in miniature .... hope all visitors make suitable comments