Egg Shells

[1birdlady]

When I was doing wildlife rehab (backyard birds), our wildlife vet told us that *egg shell calcium *is not readily available to birds unless it is first cooked; either baked for about 30 mins or "nuked" for about 2 mins. I nuke them and use my coffee bean grinder to pulverize the shells...mix it with left over scraps and it works great!

We have 4 BR's and they are now laying regularly, even with cold spell, and their eggs are firm and lovely! Mimi the freeloader finally got on board and we're getting 2-4 eggs a day now.......YAY!!!!

 

[swimchick]

We have a smoothy machine and we just put them in it with some water and let it rip - It almost makes them powdery but in water and My mom runs it through a paper towel and puts it in the coop. We will have to think about toasting it or adding it to oatmeal
Marissa

 

[Chicken Boo]

I rinse mine and put them in a tall storage container (~ 10"). I crush the shells with my potato masher. I was doing it by hand until I got a nasty cut.

 

[domino7]

Quote:
I have looked and looked, but can't find anything to back this up. It seems that the only reason to cook the shells is to avoid any risk of salmonella. I also wonder about mixing it in their food. If you're feeding layer mash, it already contains calcium. As too much calcium can cause serious health issues, and some birds need more than others, it seems better to give it to them free choice.

 

[Maine-ly]

I've never baked my shells. I just crush by hand and run a knife through it if I feel that the pieces are too big. The girls do love them. I think it's their favorite treat!

 

[gsim]

I have a hand-grinder for wheat, oats, etc. I just run them thru it raw and it is like a real fine grit. Then I just mix it in their feed. They get oyster shell too.

We are going to grind some extra-fine and add it to our oatmeal and try it that way. It has lots more than calcium in it. It should have trace amounts of many minerals that we likely do not get outside of home-grown veggies. I suspect it would be a really healthy mineral supplement for humans to consume.

 

[Big dreams]

Don't know if it is good or bad, but if you bake them, DO NOT go out to water the chickens and get busy with what ever, or when you come in ewwww the smell of burnt egg shells... nothing quite like it.

 

[Kim_NC]

I bake them. I like to think it kills bacteria, and therefore makes me feel better.

I don't rinse them unless I'm collecting them for a couple days. Then I do rinse them to prevent smell.

At this time of year our wood cookstove is constantly burning, so I toss them in the oven right away on a sheet of foil and let them bake 20 - 30 minutes. In the summer time they go in the toaster oven.

After baking they're dry and brittle. I crush them by hand and free choice feed them in the yard.