Coffee Grinder

[Cloverfluff]

I used to collect my food processer until I had so much backstock I don't have any space for more. I was adding it to their morning mash a few times a week. Now I just toss the shells in the mash and crush them with the spoon. Some days they get some, and some days they don't. The washed and dried with likely be added to the garden as needed.

 

[Rillowen]

I dry them in the oven until brittle, then hand crush with an oven mitt on. Half i toss in a pile in their coop (which i can't keep up with, they love it) the other I put through the blender. I use this to add to their once a week herb, beans and brown rice mix i give them (i toss in all sorts of herbal chicken vitamins like plantain, fat hen, rosemary, basil, bee balm ect), since I toss it into the pot with the rehydrating herbs and rice ect they end up sticking to everything and everything gets eaten! I use the rest in our coffee grounds, which then make their way to the compost/garden.

 

[Appalachickens]

I dry them in the oven until brittle, then hand crush with an oven mitt on. Half i toss in a pile in their coop (which i can't keep up with, they love it) the other I put through the blender. I use this to add to their once a week herb, beans and brown rice mix i give them (i toss in all sorts of herbal chicken vitamins like plantain, fat hen, rosemary, basil, bee balm ect), since I toss it into the pot with the rehydrating herbs and rice ect they end up sticking to everything and everything gets eaten! I use the rest in our coffee grounds, which then make their way to the compost/garden.

I take it all laying hens, no roosters? I can't mix the shells with my feed because I don't want to give the rooster too much extra calcium.

 

[Cloverfluff]

I take it all laying hens, no roosters? I can't mix the shells with my feed because I don't want to give the rooster too much extra calcium.

That's why's I started all flock feed and adding the shells a few times a week. I figure a few shells every other day split between the flock, probably doesn't contain enough calcium to harm him.

 

[Appalachickens]

That's why's I started all flock feed and adding the shells a few times a week. I figure a few shells every other day split between the flock, probably doesn't contain enough calcium to harm him.

My girls empty the little container of oyster/egg shells rapidly, so they are clearly needing it more frequently.

 

[Rillowen]

I take it all laying hens, no roosters? I can't mix the shells with my feed because I don't want to give the rooster too much extra calcium.

We have roos, but i only mix 1/4 c into about 7 C (split between 12) of rice mix, and its only once a week, since the only other Calcium comes from foraging or the shell chunk pile I'm not too worried. The roos mostly tidbit and give it to the hens anyway.

 

[Appalachickens]

We have roos, but i only mix 1/4 c into about 7 C (split between 12) of rice mix, and its only once a week, since the only other Calcium comes from foraging or the shell chunk pile I'm not too worried. The roos mostly tidbit and give it to the hens anyway.

My rooster does that with grapes. I'll hold out the bowl and he'll grab one and drop in front of one of his girls.

 

[Rillowen]

My rooster does that with grapes. I'll hold out the bowl and he'll grab one and drop in front of one of his girls.

My rooster (and now his protégé) does it with anything I give them unless I give it to him privately! I just posted about him in the "wattle I do without you" thread, he is amazing.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I take it all laying hens, no roosters? I can't mix the shells with my feed because I don't want to give the rooster too much extra calcium.

Most chickens, male or female, seem to know how much calcium they need and can self-regulate if they have that option. All chickens need some calcium but the girls laying eggs need a lot more than a male or a girl not laying eggs. Occasionally you can get a chicken, male or female, that eats too much or not enough but that us unusual and may require special treatment.

If you grind up eggshell and mix it with their feed they have no ability to limit or increase calcium. You take that option away from them. You can always offer calcium on the side in case if it not enough but they can't manage intake if it is too much.

Depending on how they are managed some chickens can get a lot of calcium from their environment. If you put out oyster shell or eggshells they may not touch that source of calcium, it can last a long time. Or it may disappear fairly quickly. It depends on how much calcium they are getting elsewhere.

 

[Appalachickens]

Most chickens, male or female, seem to know how much calcium they need and can self-regulate if they have that option. All chickens need some calcium but the girls laying eggs need a lot more than a male or a girl not laying eggs. Occasionally you can get a chicken, male or female, that eats too much or not enough but that us unusual and may require special treatment.

If you grind up eggshell and mix it with their feed they have no ability to limit or increase calcium. You take that option away from them. You can always offer calcium on the side in case if it not enough but they can't manage intake if it is too much.

Depending on how they are managed some chickens can get a lot of calcium from their environment. If you put out oyster shell or eggshells they may not touch that source of calcium, it can last a long time. Or it may disappear fairly quickly. It depends on how much calcium they are getting elsewhere.

Exactly, that's why I have the oyster shell and egg shell on the side. They do seem to eat it pretty quickly, but it's a shallow tray I refill frequently and their are 11 laying hens using it. I have noticed that now that they free range, they seem to be geting plenty of grit from the gravel driveway and that tray hardly gets touched.