Calcium for bantams

[DoubletakeFarm]

Can someone give me some advice on how to add calcium to my flock of bantam silkies? I bought oyster shell but the pieces are way too big for them and too hard for me to crush. What else can I use? Thanks.

 

[Wyandottes7]

You can give them egg shell. Just bake eggs shells, and grind them up. I use a coffee grinder. You can make the pieces almost a powder, or just smaller than the oyster shell. I have bantams, and they enjoy eating ground-up egg shell.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

My Silkies get oyster shell, and while I do occasionally see them pick at it, they don't eat much. Mine also get crushed up eggshells when I have them, I just leave them out on the counter to dry.
Silkies aren't a breed known for egg production, and they don't require as much calcium as breeds that lay alot of eggs. Mine don't get layer pellets either. I guess what I'm saying is don't get worried if they don't use much. Just make sure its available. Good luck

 

[BantamLover21]

Can someone give me some advice on how to add calcium to my flock of bantam silkies? I bought oyster shell but the pieces are way too big for them and too hard for me to crush. What else can I use? Thanks.

I give my bantams finely crushed egg shell as a calcium supplement. I tried oyster shell, but they didn't eat it, and I began to have problems with egg shell strength. I just wash the egg shells, bake them in an oven for about an hour, and then take them out and crush them. The finer they are, the better. Sometimes, using a coffee grinder, I grind the egg shell into almost a fine powder, and sprinkle that over their feed. It seems to work, and I haven't had any trouble since I began using egg shells. As long as the shells don't resemble a normal egg, the likelihood that the chickens will begin eating their own eggs is small.

Of course, as howfunkyisyourchicken mentioned, your Silkies probably don't need that much calcium because they won't lay many eggs. But it isn't a bad idea to give them extra calcium anyway.

 

[DoubletakeFarm]

I'm going to try the eggshells, thanks!

 

[DoubletakeFarm]

Another question: if I hard boil the eggs and use those shells am I losing the calcium by boiling them?

 

[BantamLover21]

Another question: if I hard boil the eggs and use those shells am I losing the calcium by boiling them?

Maybe, but I honestly don't know. I would think that at least some of the calcium would remain.

 

[Den in Penn]

Unless your are boiling them in acid most all of the calcium will remain. Calcium is the reason egg shells are hard and you still have to crack them open, after their hot water bath.

 

[Annie08009]

Maybe, but I honestly don't know. I would think that at least some of the calcium would remain.

how do you tell you have male or female bantams I bought 2 at tractor supply and was wondering what I had also they sneeze so is that normal they are eating and drinking well. When do you start giving them eggshells? I just have them on a cloth to not creat dust. Is it best to keep them inside in winter time?