Egg Shells

[Bear Foot Farm]

In reality you don't need to bother with drying, crushing, etc.

I agree.

Seing all the other things chickens will eat, it seems pointless to put a lot of effort into cleaning or drying the shells.​

 

[Myles]

Quote:
I agree.

Seing all the other things chickens will eat, it seems pointless to put a lot of effort into cleaning or drying the shells.

Good to know because I'm not willing to put much effort in preparing egg shells for them to eat.

 

[aggie9296]

Also agree, no need to anything to them. I crack them and take the wet, fresh shells out to the compost. Crumble them by hand and toss them. The chickens eat them or the compost gets them. Only work is the 50 ft walk walk to the compost.

 

[dragonlair]

I have an old coffee can (large size) I use to collect eggs shells. I keep that on a shelf above the wood stove. At night I set it on a cat food can on the stove and it dries the shells out nicely by morning. I crush them with either a jar or in my hands. When they are crushed, I mix it with their crumbles and feed it.

 

[6chick*start]

At what age can they have egg shells? I think I read not while they are on medicated chick feed, mine are, and of laying age.
Is that right?
My girls are only 3 weeks and eat everything and grit/sand too.

 

[BWKatz]

I throw mine uncleaned into a bowl by the sink when I get a few I put them in an old coffe grinder and pour the powder back into the bowl. When ever I have leftovers or fix oatmeal/grits for them , I just pour a little in, I started this right before they started laying when I started their layer feed. Even their first eggs were nice and hard. Yes they need the extra calcium for their shells to form properly.