Extreme calcium preferences

[saysfaa]

... I know how clunky and inconvenient it can be to collect shells though (slimy and wet, and voluminous) so I didn't want to have to ask, but maybe they won't mind.

Less so if one flattens them then adds them to the others in a ziplock bag. Either way individually or stack all you use in your recipe, then flatten them at once while they are still stacked.

It works a little less well to flatten them inside the bag. That avoids all slime in addition to any one gets by breaking or shelling them to eat them but risks the eggshells cutting/wearing holes in the ziplock.

It is temping, for the first few recipes worth per bag, to freeze them stacked in the ziplock. That doesn't work nearly as well.

The chickens like the bits of egg white and lining raw or baked.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

A couple years ago I found illuminating information on eggshells versus oyster shells / real shells. The real flakes take longer to grind up and metabolize, and so they can do this overnight, whereas real egg shells go through their system very quickly so there is nothing to work on at night. I believe, but would have to research this again to verify, that they don’t “store up” calcium beyond what their bones need. Maybe that’s why an excess is hard on their kidneys.

So if they can get a slow steady supply of calcium to use while they make their egg shells during the night, that is good.

Try to get actual broken up sea shells, not flaked versions of the rocks. This is another thing I read about and would need to research again to verify and if I get a chance I’ll link it. But what I read left me with the distinct idea that real actual shells are the best for slow uptake. Maybe the mixed stuff dissolves too fast.

So - It needs to actually say on the carton somewhere what it is, 100%. It will not be as cheap as the calcium from other sources. I’m not sure I’ve linked the right ones, but if you look for the 100% and the list of ingredients you’ll be on the right track.

I’m very happy with this and the price is the best usually, 5 lbs $15 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=oyster+shell+for+chickens

Or this Scratch N Peck, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=oyster+shell+for+chickens which I used before I tried the Small Pet Select, but it more expensive, is 4 lbs for $20

My chickens would not eat the combined artificially made calcium rocks, but eat the real shells readily.

 

[K0k0shka]

Less so if one flattens them then adds them to the others in a ziplock bag. Either way individually or stack all you use in your recipe, then flatten them at once while they are still stacked.

It works a little less well to flatten them inside the bag. That avoids all slime in addition to any one gets by breaking or shelling them to eat them but risks the eggshells cutting/wearing holes in the ziplock.

It is temping, for the first few recipes worth per bag, to freeze them stacked in the ziplock. That doesn't work nearly as well.

The chickens like the bits of egg white and lining raw or baked.

I have a system for collecting and storing them myself, I just don't want to ask neighbors to do extra work or need to remember specific instructions.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have a system for collecting and storing them myself, I just don't want to ask neighbors to do extra work or need to remember specific instructions.

I find paper bags work best for the friends and neighbors. They just stand one in the kitchen and toss them in. The paper absorbs any spills and they air dry during collection.

 

[saysfaa]

I find paper bags work best for the friends and neighbors. They just stand one in the kitchen and toss them in. The paper absorbs any spills and they air dry during collection.

That would be better. They don't get smelly?

 

[RoyalChick]

That would be better. They don't get smelly?

Don’t seem to.

 

[Shadrach]

A couple years ago I found illuminating information on eggshells versus oyster shells / real shells. The real flakes take longer to grind up and metabolize, and so they can do this overnight, whereas real egg shells go through their system very quickly so there is nothing to work on at night. I believe, but would have to research this again to verify, that they don’t “store up” calcium beyond what their bones need. Maybe that’s why an excess is hard on their kidneys.

So if they can get a slow steady supply of calcium to use while they make their egg shells during the night, that is good.

Try to get actual broken up sea shells, not flaked versions of the rocks. This is another thing I read about and would need to research again to verify and if I get a chance I’ll link it. But what I read left me with the distinct idea that real actual shells are the best for slow uptake. Maybe the mixed stuff dissolves too fast.

So - It needs to actually say on the carton somewhere what it is, 100%. It will not be as cheap as the calcium from other sources. I’m not sure I’ve linked the right ones, but if you look for the 100% and the list of ingredients you’ll be on the right track.

I’m very happy with this and the price is the best usually, 5 lbs $15 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=oyster+shell+for+chickens
View attachment 4263211

Or this Scratch N Peck, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=oyster+shell+for+chickens which I used before I tried the Small Pet Select, but it more expensive, is 4 lbs for $20View attachment 4263229

My chickens would not eat the combined artificially made calcium rocks, but eat the real shells readily.

Hens do store calcium. They store it in a bone called the medullary bone, the largest I believe being in their legs.
In the early days of large commercial egg factories a lot of hens suffered from osteoporosis because the amount of calcium the hen required wasn't well understood. The hens drew calcium from these medullary bones for the eggs and without adequate replenishment end up with weakened bones.