Can you give chickens crushed up egg shell for calcim ?

[wyatt015]

Does anyone know?

 

[I Love Layers]

Yes. Just dry them out and crush then up.

 

[wyatt015]

Yes. Just dry them out and crush then up.

Do they have to be a certain age

@I Love Layers

 

[I Love Layers]

When they start laying they should have access to it every day

 

[wyatt015]

Will oyster shell work just the same

@i love layers

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Egg shells will work for calcium. I rinse and dry them, then crush them well so they don't resemble eggs. I put it next to the oyster shell (it does work the same) and the egg shells are always gone.

I wouldn't do it before they start laying eggs. And not from supermarket eggs, only from your own flock. I think some people bake them, I do not.

It's also a great way to be environmentally friendly.

 

[wyatt015]

What does it do if you give them egg shells before they start to lay? Also, what will store bot eggs do?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well, extra calcium when they're young can cause either kidney or liver (I think kidney, can't remember which 1) problems (or failure) long term.

And I'm just not interested in passing something on to my birds. The reason I got egg layers was because of all the salmonella recalls on the supermarket eggs, a couple years back. So for me it just isn't worth the risk.

That's just me, I don't take the risk my hubby does driving either though ...

 

[wyatt015]

Thank you for the information sure does help

 

[Folly's place]

Crushed eggshells won't meet the needs of high egg producing hens, and there is research to back this up. Oyster shell in another container is best, and then some egg shells won't hurt. With a layer feed, the hens will eat less oyster shell. If you feed an all- flock feed, the laying hens will eat more. Mary