Difference between oyster shell and oyster shell grit.

[Chickelita]

Crushed oyster shell and oyster shell grit are one and the same.

Oyster shell grit is soluble grit, not to be confused with insoluble grit, often sold as crushed granite.

Insoluble grit is essential for crushing solids in the digestive tract, as the birds do not chew.

Soluble oyster shell grit adds essential calcium required for egg laying, dissolving slowly and allowing the bird to absorb more than finely crushed pieces such as crushed eggshells which pass through the digestive tract too quickly.

Both should be offered freechoice, the birds will know when they need to ingest more.

Hope this helps.

Thank you !

 

[Robert G]

I have learned so much on this site, keep learning everyday. So, one of my hens today found an old egg shell from a hatched chick about a month ago, and she started to eat it. Is she wanting calcium? Should I buy some oyster shell for her and just leave it around so she can eat it when she wants to?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I have learned so much on this site, keep learning everyday. So, one of my hens today found an old egg shell from a hatched chick about a month ago, and she started to eat it. Is she wanting calcium? Should I buy some oyster shell for her and just leave it around so she can eat it when she wants to?

Almost every hen will routinely eat broken eggshells. I don't think that it is from a lack of minerals but rather in the off chance that there is, or that there may be some nutrients still lurking on the membrane.

 

[R2elk]

I have learned so much on this site, keep learning everyday. So, one of my hens today found an old egg shell from a hatched chick about a month ago, and she started to eat it. Is she wanting calcium? Should I buy some oyster shell for her and just leave it around so she can eat it when she wants to?

If your hens are laying, you should have free choice oyster shell available to them even if you are feeding them layer feed.

 

[seminolewind]

People around here use oyster shell as grit as well. The stuff is rock hard for a long time.

 

[R2elk]

People around here use oyster shell as grit as well. The stuff is rock hard for a long time.

Oyster shell does not serve as grit. Grit is hard and insoluble and needed and used in the gizzard as an aid in grinding up whatever they eat. Oyster shell is Calcium Carbonate which is soluble and will not stay hard or help in grinding their food. Dry oyster shell does remain hard but as soon as it meets water it starts dissolving.

 

[RonP]

I have learned so much on this site, keep learning everyday. So, one of my hens today found an old egg shell from a hatched chick about a month ago, and she started to eat it. Is she wanting calcium? Should I buy some oyster shell for her and just leave it around so she can eat it when she wants to?

Having free choice crushed oyster shell available to your birds at all times would be a wise decision. They will know when and if they need the additional calcium it provides.

 

[Robert G]

Having free choice crushed oyster shell available to your birds at all times would be a wise decision. They will know when and if they need the additional calcium it provides.

My hens are Bantams and I have read that oyster shell come in pretty big pieces and worry if the hens will be able to eat it when they want.

 

[R2elk]

My hens are Bantams and I have read that oyster shell come in pretty big pieces and worry if the hens will be able to eat it when they want.

Different brands of oyster shell come in different sizes. When I had bantams, they did not have any problem with the oyster shell that was available to me. If you think it is too big, you could always use a hammer to smash it smaller.

 

[Robert G]

Thanks for the information. I will try a small bag. Our local Tractor Supply has a 5 lb bag for 7 dollars.