Eggshells????

[shangri-lafarms]

Does anyone else here feed their chickens back their egg shells crumbled up mixed into their feed??? I have heard this is a good source of calcium and makes their eggshells harder when they lay, also if you feed this to them is this considered grit???? Thanks for your input

 

[HeadHen]

not grit, but is a calcium source

 

[Jenski]

shangri-lafarms, you are welcome to check out my article on the basics for feeding laying hens here ~

http://theworldofjenotopia.com/cmsjoomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=27

Good luck!


Jen in TN

 

[shangri-lafarms]

So if they free range will they get the grit they need? I have been keeping some small gravel or rather large sandy dirt/rock mixture in the pen if they want it...However they range all day so I am just wondering if they need more??

 

[Nuggetsowner:)]

They will find the grit they need when they free range. Especially if you have a gravel drive or another area like that. I also offer mine grit in a free choice feeder. I do not feed my girls back their eggshells. It is just a preferance. I feed mine oyster shell in a free choice feeder.

 

[Nemo]

I heard if you are going to give them egg shells, then you should grind them up very well... Otherwise, they might associate their newly laid eggs as a food source.

 

[shangri-lafarms]

Yes I grind up my eggshells very small then add them to the feed crumble this way they are not associating large pieces of eggshells with eggs.

 

[shangri-lafarms]

Nuggetsowner :

They will find the grit they need when they free range. Especially if you have a gravel drive or another area like that. I also offer mine grit in a free choice feeder. I do not feed my girls back their eggshells. It is just a preferance. I feed mine oyster shell in a free choice feeder.

Oh good, I feel better. We have a huge gravel u shaped driveway they usually peck at it​

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Yes. I do. It is not grit but calcium.

I rinse the egg shells and microwave them for 3 min. It makes the shells really crunchy. Then I crumble up the shells. If you dont crumble up the shells, they looks like regular eggs and it could get them into the habit of egg eating.

 

[shangri-lafarms]

Yes my procedure is to take the eggshells and put them back into the carboard carton to dry out. Once they are all dried out I crumble them up into small pieces and add to crumble feed. The first time I tried doing this when they were wet after rinsing them

I learned to let them dry out much easier....I never thought of the microwave that's a good one