Do Eggshells Have Enough Calcium????

[salt and pepper]

hi, I was wondering if leftover eggshells fed back to the hens would be enough calcium for them? Oystershell is pretty expensive, and eggshells are free. so I would really like to be able to feed that to them instead.

 

[Jungleexplorer]

hi, I was wondering if leftover eggshells fed back to the hens would be enough calcium for them? Oystershell is pretty expensive, and eggshells are free!! lol so I would really like to be able to do that.

Lot's of folks feed eggs shells back to their chickens. Some recommend that you crush them first so your birds don't start eating their own eggs. If you are feeding your birds Layer, then they should be getting enough calcium from that, but a little extra never hurts.

 

[Ashburnham]

I've always given mine shellgrit in addition to what they get in the layers pellets.
But then I live fairly close to the beach.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

They only need "extra" if you're having problems with thin shells, but it doesn't hurt to feed them back rather than just wasting them

 

[salt and pepper]

thanks =) I free range my chickens often, so I wasn't sure if that would affect, the balanced layer feed =) I'm glad I have a cheaper option!!

 

[Cindy in PA]

I get oyster shell for $8/50 lbs. and it lasts a year or more. You can pay that much for 5-10 lbs at a place like TSC. Really good insurance, but egg shells probably work too.

 

[Jungleexplorer]

I get oyster shell for $8/50 lbs. and it lasts a year or more. You can pay that much for 5-10 lbs at a place like TSC. Really good insurance, but egg shells probably work too.

X2. I do this too. $8 a year is well worth it considering the time I am saving not having to collect eggshells, crush them and keep containers washed everyday.

 

[salt and pepper]

I see your point, I just never thought it would last that long.

 

[lbrtyldy]

How long a bag will last will have something to do with how many chickens there are.

 

[salt and pepper]

that's true.