Adding calcium when they won’t touch oyster shells

[debid]

Mine seem to get better results from the new oyster shell I bought recently. My old bag lasted an eternity and was just basic, crushed shell. That worked fine. The co-op sells something that is teeny tiny bits that I think may be too small, they probably just pass through. We slowly began having issues even though it was always available. I looked at Tractor Supply for the cheap and reliable stuff I bought years ago and it's no longer offered. BUT, I found this one:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...t4nLFACFcLAwGkq9UQQFSdKVbN1nKXxhoCE_4QAvD_BwE
I like that it has powdered calcium carbonate as well as the crushed shell and the shell pieces are a mix of sizes but with a lot of pieces in the pea to cherry pit range. The powder is meant to give a fast absorbing source in addition to the slower absorbing shell.

My 4YO legbar went from thin shells to pullet shells with a small calcium bump here and there in a shockingly short period of time.

So, I am super happy and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

 

[Finnie]

Mine seem to get better results from the new oyster shell I bought recently. My old bag lasted an eternity and was just basic, crushed shell. That worked fine. The co-op sells something that is teeny tiny bits that I think may be too small, they probably just pass through. We slowly began having issues even though it was always available. I looked at Tractor Supply for the cheap and reliable stuff I bought years ago and it's no longer offered. BUT, I found this one:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...t4nLFACFcLAwGkq9UQQFSdKVbN1nKXxhoCE_4QAvD_BwE
I like that it has powdered calcium carbonate as well as the crushed shell and the shell pieces are a mix of sizes but with a lot of pieces in the pea to cherry pit range. The powder is meant to give a fast absorbing source in addition to the slower absorbing shell.

My 4YO legbar went from thin shells to pullet shells with a small calcium bump here and there in a shockingly short period of time.

So, I am super happy and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

Could you post a screen shot of that TSC page? When I click on the link it takes me to my TSC app which only displays a message on the home page “that product is currently unavailable”.

Thank you!

 

[debid]

Oh, sure. Other places have it as well, Chewy included.

 

[debid]

In case you didn't know, chickens have UV vision. The calcium carbonate in eggshells makes them look red under a UV light, that is how chickens see them.
I'd imagine that different calcium sources look different to them because various minerals will glow with different colors. They're going to be attracted to that red for calcium but perhaps they also look for other colors when different trace minerals are needed? If they aren't touching what is offered, I would try something different and see what happens.

 

[Rillowen]

In case you didn't know, chickens have UV vision. The calcium carbonate in eggshells makes them look red under a UV light, that is how chickens see them.
I'd imagine that different calcium sources look different to them because various minerals will glow with different colors. They're going to be attracted to that red for calcium but perhaps they also look for other colors when different trace minerals are needed? If they aren't touching what is offered, I would try something different and see what happens.

I knew, yet didnt know! This explains why they can pick through a patch of grass and somehow only pick out the calcium rich greens!!!