Clam shells (before I feed to my chickens)

[HollowOfWisps]

Yes you can. Clam shells in lab studies showed that they are made up of 96% calcium carbonate which is the same content amount found in oyster shells. https://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/projects/shellfish-farm-environment/carbon-fixation/#:~:text=Laboratory analysis of shells showed,is 12% carbon by weight.

 

[Short Round]

Yes you can. Clam shells in lab studies showed that they are made up of 96% calcium carbonate which is the same content amount found in oyster shells. https://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/projects/shellfish-farm-environment/carbon-fixation/#:~:text=Laboratory analysis of shells showed,is 12% carbon by weight.

Perfect, thank you. One thing to note is that the powder/shell mixture smells really bad. I'm certain that any bacteria has been killed off because they were baked for so long and at a high temperature. The mixture should be okay regardless of the smell? Broil temperature is 550f, I am reading that calcium carbonate decomposes at 1382-1832f - so I should be ok

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Perfect, thank you. One thing to note is that the powder/shell mixture smells really bad. I'm certain that any bacteria has been killed off because they were baked for so long and at a high temperature. The mixture should be okay regardless of the smell? Broil temperature is 550f, I am reading that calcium carbonate decomposes at 1382-1832f - so I should be ok

Beach collected shells when cleaned will smell bad due to the decomposition of any organic matter left on the shell. Store bought have been specially cleaned so they do not smell.

 

[ChicNmom]

Because it's a net loss in terms of calcium. Sure, they'll get some calcium back from their egg shells, but not enough to replace what they lose. Sure, it helps, but you're still going to need something like oyster shells for them

Dunno the answer regarding the clam shell, I assume it's probably fine but you know what happens when you assume.... so best wait on someone who knows with a bit more certainty lol

Mine have layer pellets for feed so there is some calcium. I also have a little bin with oyster shell. But I have a hen that just needs extra and she will eat as much egg shell as I put down and all the girls seem to prefer them. I have a friend that also save her shells for me so I have a lot.

 

[Short Round]

Beach collected shells when cleaned will smell bad due to the decomposition of any organic matter left on the shell. Store bought have been specially cleaned so they do not smell.

I think I will look into a food grade cleaning solution, maybe something I can soak them in. So not to worry about the terrible smell? The oven would've killed any bacteria

 

[FrostRanger]

Mine have layer pellets for feed so there is some calcium. I also have a little bin with oyster shell. But I have a hen that just needs extra and she will eat as much egg shell as I put down and all the girls seem to prefer them. I have a friend that also save her shells for me so I have a lot.

It can work if you feed layer feed, but if you feed all flock like many of us do, feeding back eggshells just won't be enough

 

[Ridgerunner]

It can work if you feed layer feed, but if you feed all flock like many of us do, feeding back eggshells just won't be enough

Let's discuss this a bit. Part of the calcium in eggshells or oyster shells the chicken eats is not digested. It passes straight through the chicken and out of the back end. Also, the chicken needs some calcium for growth or body maintenance. If the only calcium the chicken was getting was from her own eggshells it is a losing proposition. She will have a calcium deficiency.

But that is not the only possible source of calcium. They can get calcium from certain plants they eat. Certain creepy crawlies they eat contain calcium. Things like hard-shelled bugs, mice, frogs, small snakes, crawfish, and snails with a shell. They may eat small rocks like limestone that are high in calcium. And of course chicken feed has some calcium in it. If all they eat is Layer then they will get enough calcium for eggshells from that but if they eat low calcium treats in addition to Layer even that may not be enough. If they are getting enough calcium from other sources then they may not even need the calcium in their eggshells, let alone oyster shells.

The test is to look at the eggs they are laying. If the eggs have hard well-developed shells they are getting enough calcium from some source. If the shells are thin or soft, you need to add more calcium supplement.

I was looking for calcium alternatives for the chickens that weren't oyster shells.

Some critters have two different types of shells. Crabs or crawfish are probably the best to demonstrate this. The soft translucent parts are made of chitin. This is a protein. They might eat it but it is fairly indigestible. Not much calcium or nutrients here.

The hard parts, pincers or parts like clam shells, are calcium. You can use that hard shell like you would oyster shell.

I do not know what is causing that smell. You can get a strong smell any time you are in a marine environment. In your situation I'd feed it to them if they will eat it. But that is just my opinion.

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

Beach collected shells when cleaned will smell bad due to the decomposition of any organic matter left on the shell. Store bought have been specially cleaned so they do not smell.

Hello I agree with this. What if you can boil off the organic matter like boiling a chicken carcass and all the meat falls off. When the organic matter is boiled off and the shells rinsed I think it won't smell.

 

[redinator]

I came across this post when I searched crawfish . . . we recently boiled some crawfish and I'm wondering if I should save the shells for my chicks when they start laying. Sorry, they are not getting the meat, we ate that.

Since they're boiled with spices I was also wondering if I should soak/boil them to remove the salt/seasonings or if it's unnecessary.

My oldest chicks are 9 weeks so I plan to freeze them until they need extra calcium for egg laying.

 

[RoyalChick]

I came across this post when I searched crawfish . . . we recently boiled some crawfish and I'm wondering if I should save the shells for my chicks when they start laying. Sorry, they are not getting the meat, we ate that.

Since they're boiled with spices I was also wondering if I should soak/boil them to remove the salt/seasonings or if it's unnecessary.

My oldest chicks are 9 weeks so I plan to freeze them until they need extra calcium for egg laying.

I am sure they will love them.