Extreme calcium preferences

[K0k0shka]

I've used both of those but the Small Pet Select is usually in slightly thinner flakes and preferred by my flock. They get the option of eggshell too but I see most of them taking in both flaked oyster and eggshell readily - the eggshell helps stretch things out and gives pickier birds a different option.

Small Pet Select is the one I ordered yesterday. Glad to hear that it's the preferred one in your flock. Hopefully my picky princesses will approve, too.

 

[SourRoses]

It's those rocks that chickens hate. The advertising is SO deceptive, it really should come to a class action lawsuit.

It might not sound that serious, but actually how many chicken keepers have wasted money on that stuff that reads "Oyster Shell" only to watch it tread into the ground and still get weak eggs? It should be labeled "Limestone Pebbles of extra rough texture".

Apparently the reason behind the deception is that real Oyster shells used to be considered a mere by-product by the oyster industry. They were happy to sell them cheaply.
Then big business figured out it was a good cheaper solution to mix into concrete.
The biggest oyster providers now have contracts for all of their shell product.
So as the price rose and supply dwindled, mere pet suppliers (like Dumor) said "Let's just fill the bag with something else. They won't know the difference."

Grrrrrrrr

 

[ChicoryBlue]

It might not sound that serious, but actually how many chicken keepers have wasted money on that stuff that reads "Oyster Shell" only to watch it tread into the ground and still get weak eggs? It should be labeled "Limestone Pebbles of extra rough texture".

That would be me. I have most of a ten-pound bag sitting somewhere in my garage. Notice that there isn’t a listing of how much oyster shell versus coral calcium or limestone is actually in these bags. Hmm, maybe it would make a better garden amendment.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I buy flakes, but I’ve also read posts about busting up the chunks in a serious bag (think empty feed bag) with a hammer.

 

[Bawkbok]

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

This is what we offer our girls, along with the white rocks before I discovered the flakes and now I know better. They prefer the flakes and we also add crushed egg shells, which is their favorite. The variety provides for everyone as they seem to like different things.
Interestingly, the OS container got wet in rain and it turned to a sludgy concrete mess. In my disgust I dumped it on the ground on my way back to the house to wash and refill with fresh and I'll have you know, the white rocks lasted for months on the ground, never disintegrated or dissolved. Like concrete those things are. Why do we offer them to our chickens? I have about 40lbs of that crap in my garage that I don't know what to do with.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

This is what we offer our girls, along with the white rocks before I discovered the flakes and now I know better. They prefer the flakes and we also add crushed egg shells, which is their favorite. The variety provides for everyone as they seem to like different things.
Interestingly, the OS container got wet in rain and it turned to a sludgy concrete mess. In my disgust I dumped it on the ground on my way back to the house to wash and refill with fresh and I'll have you know, the white rocks lasted for months on the ground, never disintegrated or dissolved. Like concrete those things are. Why do we offer them to our chickens? I have about 40lbs of that crap in my garage that I don't know what to do with.

I read here on BYC that you can wrap them in something heavy-duty, like an empty feed bag, and bust them up with a hammer, getting them to a perhaps more manageable size.

 

[Bawkbok]

Thanks. I've read that also. It's the difference in quality that astounds me.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

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.

I need one of these products. Of my 13 hens two are laying (sex linked production girls) but their shells are thin despite the big-box store TSC sold “oyster shell”- you know-the one in a giant bag. They tolerate it, but shells are notably thin now that they are confined to the coop/run.
Do you think my nonlaying hens would devour this like they do with egg shells? How long will a 5 lb bag of flakes generally last— on average?
TIA

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Thanks. I've read that also. It's the difference in quality that astounds me.

If the flakes melted so to speak in the rain did it eventually resolidify or was all lost? I’m disturbed by the fact that the rocks do not disintegrate— I realize this to be my experience now that you mention it.

Any opinion on using the fines from the rock product?? Is it healthy for my birds?

 

[Bawkbok]

I need one of these products. Of my 13 hens two are laying (sex linked production girls) but their shells are thin despite the big-box store TSC sold “oyster shell”- you know-the one in a giant bag. They tolerate it, but shells are notably thin now that they are confined to the coop/run.
Do you think my nonlaying hens would devour this like they do with egg shells? How long will a 5 lb bag of flakes generally last— on average?
TIA

Hard to say how long it will last with 13 hens. Some will eat more than others. They know what they need.

Our egg shells are all hard and of high quality. Some eat the OS every day and we have one who never touches it that I've seen and her shells are hard as well.

The 5lb. box of flaked shells has lasted us about 6 months but we also give them with the white OS rocks, a 50 lb. bag we bought from the feed store which will probably last another 5 years. They choose which kind they want. We also provide crushed egg shells in the mix as well. The shell flakes are a better quality and more expensive but the cost is nominal spread over time. You should have it available for the chickens at all times, separate from their feed.