calcium supplements

[big j]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to all this and have gotten some help from friends. I'm looking for input on what is the best way to give calcium to the hens for better and healthier eggs and shells.

 

[chfite]

If you feed layer feed, it has calcium in it. Alternatively, provide crushed oyster shell from the feed store in a separate container. The birds that need the calcium will eat the oyster shell. A small bag will last for quite some time.

Some folks crush eggs shells and feed them back to the hens for calcium.

Chris

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Welcome! If you are feeding your hens a layer feed it should already have calcium in it. Oyster shell is the most common and easiest way to add extra or to supplement if you are using a grower feed for a young or mixed flock. You can get it at any feed store and it comes in little flakes. Just put it in a can or other container in the coop, attached to the side so it can not be knocked over.

You do not need or want to give your chickens calcium until they are actually laying. It can build up and be harmful to young birds.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

If you provide the oyster shells on the side, only the birds that need it will eat it.

 

[big j]

Sounds like I'm on the right track then. Do most of you use the crushed oyster shells? I found that what my friend had purchased was quite coarse, like rocks. He had to re crush them. We have been looking for crushed eggshells but can't find any locally or online? I've read it's the better source calcium because it's more digestible. Why so hard to find?

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I used crushed oyster shells. The kind I buy looks like little grey, hard flakes all smaller than a dime. My regular sized and bantum hens all eat them with no problem. I have also seen it sold as more like ground up white rocks but have never bought that.

Chickens do eat rocks and minerals from the ground as part on their ingestion so if the pieces are hard like tiny little rock that is not bad for them at all.

I can take a picture this evening if you would like a visual.

 

[big j]

Anyone have any idea why crushed eggshells are so hard to find? It seems to be better than oyster shells.

 

[Imp]

Anyone have any idea why crushed eggshells are so hard to find? It seems to be better than oyster shells.

I think most people save the eggshells from their meals, bake and crush. I have not heard of people buying crushed eggshell.

Here are some other sources:


1. Spinach & Swiss Chard
2. Salmon & Sardines (canned with bones)
3. Mustard, Collard, Kale & Turnip greens
4. Shellfish
5. Blackstrap molasses (can cause runny stools)
6. Corn Tortillas
7. Yogurt
8. Mozzarella & Cheddar cheese
9. Milk, Buttermilk (goat's milk and cow's milk)
10. Basil, thyme, dill seed, cinnamon, and peppermint leaves
11. Romaine lettuce
12. Rhubarb
13. Almonds, Peanuts & Brazil Nuts

14. Black Beans, Dried Beans (Cooked)
15. Sesame seeds
16. Fennel
17. Cabbage, Bok Choy, & Chinese cabbage
18. Summer squash
19. Green beans
20. Garlic
21. Tofu & Soybeans
22. Brussel sprouts & Broccoli
23. Oranges (Some people do not feed citrus to chickens)
24. Asparagus & Okra
25. Crimini mushrooms
26. Foods Fortified with Calcium: Some Orange Juice, Breads, & Cereals

Imp

 

[mickey328]

You prolly shouldn't give them shells from store bought eggs...it can harbor stuff that's "foreign" to your chickens. When we use our eggs, I just let them dry and then throw them in a bag. Eventually I crunch them up fairly fine (don't want them to think it's okay to eat eggs!) and put them out in a separate container for them. We were able to get oyster shell from the local feed store. It was coarser than I imagined it would be but I don't crush it or anything...it's not any bigger than the grit we put out for them, so they handle it just fine.

Various dairy products provide calcium as well, but you have to be careful with it if it has a lot of additives or fat in it. Ours get plain low fat yogurt or cottage cheese every other day...they love it!
HTG
Mickey

 

[big j]

Thanks to all that posted, you've been a great help.