Egg Shells

[confederatemule]

I have read that egg shells should be boiled before adding to chicken feed.

Why?

Mule

 

[JosiahK]

To kill any diseases that might be hiding in there. Like bits of rotting yolk or membrane. Even better, and quicker, microwave them, then crush or put through a food processor.

Hope this helps!

 

[confederatemule]

To kill any diseases that might be hiding in there. Like bits of rotting yolk or membrane. Even better, and quicker, microwave them, then crush or put through a food processor.

Hope this helps!

Microwave them without any water?

 

[JosiahK]

Yes, I microwave dry for 2 minutes and it works great!

 

[Folly's place]

Eggshell shouldn't be added to feed, as the birds need calcium on the side, not mixed in the feed. They also dissolve too quickly in the gut to effectively provide calcium for shell production, especially in high producing hens. They really do need oyster shell free choice, not just egg shells. Mary

 

[pdirt]

Eggshell shouldn't be added to feed, as the birds need calcium on the side, not mixed in the feed.  They also dissolve too quickly in the gut to effectively provide calcium for shell production, especially in high producing hens.  They really do need oyster shell free choice, not just egg shells.  Mary

X2

You can also mix your crushed oyster shells with the crushed eggshells. They will get most of their calcium needs from the oyster shell, but they will get a small amount from the eggshells.

We bake in our oven a lot. When we're done, I simply put a baking dish full of unwashed, uncrushed eggshells in the oven and turn off the oven. When they're cool they will be dried out and easily crushed.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Eggshell shouldn't be added to feed, as the birds need calcium on the side, not mixed in the feed. They also dissolve too quickly in the gut to effectively provide calcium for shell production, especially in high producing hens. They really do need oyster shell free choice, not just egg shells. Mary

A big "ditto" to this -- I do feed crushed egg shells, but I don't rely on it at all as the primary calcium source for my flock, it is more of an added extra to the oyster shell, which is out at all times in a separate dish (I have a two sided dish with oyster shell on one side and grit on the other).

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The purpose of the prep (some boil, some bake, etc) is to kill any potential pathogens in/on the shells. That being said, I don't do any special prep to the egg shells I feed back and have yet to have any issue in all the years I've had chickens.

 

[pdirt]

I don't bake them so much to destroy unwanted pathogens, but to dry the membranes, making them easier to crush and store in a jar. They eat plenty of chicken poop anyways, scratching in the coop.

 

[sezua]

I put them in microwave after they have dried for 1 minute on high. Then when they cool I put between two paper towels and use a rolling pin over them. I also free feed them in a seperate dish. I have read it is not good to add to the feed.