Calcium bicarbonate

[ihavechicks]

My husband bought a bag of calcium bicarbonate instead of crushed oyster shell. Our co-op sold it to him. Is this ok to give my chickens instead of crushed oyster shell? It is a powdery substance. Will it do the same thing as the shell?

 

[Percheron chick]

Calcium carbonate, yes. Bicarbonate no. Calcium carbonate is what oyster shells and egg shells are made of.

 

[ihavechicks]

I kinda thought so but it is powdery. Will it still do what the chunky oyster shell does?

 

[Percheron chick]

Absolutely. That's what feed mills add to their rations to increase the Ca. If they can't pick it up because it's too powdery, you can add a little water and make a paste out of it or mix it with some oatmeal for a breakfast treat.