Calcium Sources/Oyster Shell Help/Soft Shells

[Pablo&Ladies]

These bantams of mine will not eat the Manna Oyster Shells I bought. The pieces are way too large in size.(yes, I have drilled holes in a plastic containers and spent much time trying to sift out smaller pieces which is a waste of the larger pieces...I have also tried smashing with a hammer to little avail).
Does anyone have a brand name for smaller sizes? Can I use a Parakeet mineral grit supplement with oyster shells instead? (although these products seem to include an Anise flavoring) Or, can I substitute with a crab crustacean meal source. My girls are struggling with soft shells and my flock is mixed so I cannot do a Layer feed at this time. I will be returning back to a Gamefeed tomorrow as I believe this was better than the Poulin Grain they are currently on. Thanks for any assistance.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Do you mix the oyster shells with their feed? If not, you should try this! I'm not sure that the oyster shell being to large is your problem... chickens can eat huge bugs and other things, so the oyster size should not be a problem. You could also try dipping the oyster in peanut butter and feeding it to them with their feed, they'll go for the peanut butter while consuming the oyster at the same time. Good luck!

 

[ModernGamer]

These bantams of mine will not eat the Manna Oyster Shells I bought. The pieces are way too large in size.(yes, I have drilled holes in a plastic containers and spent much time trying to sift out smaller pieces which is a waste of the larger pieces...I have also tried smashing with a hammer to little avail).
Does anyone have a brand name for smaller sizes? Can I use a Parakeet mineral grit supplement with oyster shells instead? (although these products seem to include an Anise flavoring) Or, can I substitute with a crab crustacean meal source. My girls are struggling with soft shells and my flock is mixed so I cannot do a Layer feed at this time. I will be returning back to a Gamefeed tomorrow as I believe this was better than the Poulin Grain they are currently on. Thanks for any assistance.

I’ve given my bantam hens the unflavored parakeet grit which you can pick up at your local pet shop or online. Good Luck

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I would go ahead and just use layer feed. A little extra calcium won't kill the roosters. I don't think.

 

[snow5164]

I’ve added oyster shells to the water dish when I got soft shells , just a teaspoon for a day or two . Feed store told me to do that with well water

 

[Pablo&Ladies]

Thank you everyone. My error, when I mentioned mixed flock I mean I have a Mama and 3 week old chicks milling about the same area ( 4 10x10 pens) with the rooster and other ladies. So, oyster shells are out of reach and feed cannot be Layer as the chicks are eating with everyone. I may try to parakeet grit oyster mix however, crossing fingers it has minimal additives. Thanks ALL!

 

[snow5164]

Have you cooked egg shells and fed them that ? You can process it into small pieces and it’s 100% natural

 

[Pablo&Ladies]

Eggshells will be my next step. Thanks!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Eggshells will be my next step. Thanks!

Feeding eggshells will not help provide calcium because the bits of eggshell pass through the chickens digestive system too fast for the calcium to be absorbed.

 

[jp57]

Use a mortar and pestle to grind up the oyster shell or egg shells into a powder.