Coral instead of oyster shell

[Dr.Doorlock]

I even Googled this one, but found nothing to help. Today when I bough the girl's feed, I also asked for oyter shell. The people I trust most at the feed store told me they had coral. Please let me know if any of you have tried both and if you have a preference.

Has anyone looked into the possibility of us contributing to the loss of coral reefs? I don't want any part of this unless it's harvested from DEAD reefs.

 

[lisahaschickens]

that was going to be my only input - to not buy it if it's not somehow sustainably harvested. I would honestly stay away from buyinf coral products in general, because they are generally not environmentally friendly. Coral takes forever to grow and is not really available for sustainable harvest.

 

[Gazinga]

Quote:
i agree.....

 

[CovenantCreek]

Here are a couple pages that discuss how the coral is harvested without damaging the reef. However, most sites seem to be focused on selling products as well, so they may be painting a brighter picture than what the environmentalists will paint. I suppose finding out about the coral being sold at your feed store is equally as important as looking at the industry as a whole. A couple sites mentioned that some coral products contain high quantities of sand. It didn't mention whether it was coral sand produced by the fish that eat coral or not, or whether coral sand has had all the calcium stripped by the fish.

http://www.coralcalciumzone.com/harvesting-marine-coral-calcium.html
http://www.calciumsupreme.com/site/525253/page/176176
http://www.coralcalciummadesimple.com/seacoralcalcium.html
http://www.coralcalcium-watchdog.com/compare.htm?gclid=CJC-7qXOxZkCFRKIxwodjBPjtg

 

[BeRitch]

I have tried both and my chickens seem to do better on the coral calcium. Also, let the dandilions grow. They are natural calcium miners and the chickens like to eat the tender leaves in the middle.

 

[BeRitch]

I have also, in my research, found that ground limestone is a good source of calcium

 

[SandyRiverChick]

"Dead" Coral Reefs are just as important and beneficial to leave alone as live Reef. And since there is a choice, I will always go with Oyster shells. Even if you feel confident Coral is harvested legally, it's the fact that if there is a demand for it, unethical companies will be tempted and in that, yes we would be responsible for furthering the loss. I live part time in Hawaii and it is a heartbreaking, real problem. Just don't even consider it when there are good alternatives. ~Mahalo.