Giving chickens egg shells?

[Swstewart]

Is it ok to give our chickens egg shells? We got our first egg today! A friend told me to give them oyster shells to help with calcium. I was reading that some people crush up the eggs shells also.

 

[Willow2253]

Offering eggshells is a great way to supply the calcium your chickens need to form new eggshells. I save all of my shells from breakfast and let them dry out, then every few days crush them up and toss them in an area the chickens frequent. I also offer oyster shell at the same time so they have options.

 

[Minidinochickens]

I’ve heard you would have to bake them so they don’t start eating their own eggs

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I just throw them out with the compost and they get them or not as they see fit. Baking, drying and crushing are all optional and has little impact on any behavior. It's a good oyster shell substitute.

 

[Willow2253]

I’ve heard you would have to bake them so they don’t start eating their own eggs

I’ve never had a problem with egg eating as a result. You just want to crush them up small enough that they no longer resemble eggs.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I don't bake mine. I scramble the yolk and then just dip the egg shells in the yolk and they fish them out or drink the yolk if they want that too. Never had a problem with egg eating apart from when they need something else they aren't getting

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Offering eggshells is a great way to supply the calcium your chickens need to form new eggshells. I save all of my shells from breakfast and let them dry out, then every few days crush them up and toss them in an area the chickens frequent. I also offer oyster shell at the same time so they have options.

Ditto that..

Don't crush too small.. large source calcium required for absorption to count.

No baking needed.. Just enough separation during dry time to not allow moldy stuff to grow between them.

No egg eaters YET, in 10+ years..

We got our first egg today!

And no pics? Congrats!

 

[Swstewart]

So many great responses. Thank you all! I was afraid it wasn't a good idea. I will take the shells out tomorrow for the chicks to enjoy!

 

[Swstewart]

Ditto that..

Don't crush too small.. large source calcium required for absorption to count.

No baking needed.. Just enough separation during dry time to not allow moldy stuff to grow between them.

No egg eaters YET, in 10+ years..

And no pics? Congrats!

Oh yes! I had to take pics! It was so small and perfect.

 

[JaeG]

Egg shells are a short release calcium that is absorbed quickly by the hen. Oyster shell grit on the other hand is a slow release source of calcium as it sits in the gizzard, most importantly overnight when the hen tends to be forming the shell on her egg for the next day.

This explains the difference well:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/for-strong-eggshells-size-matters/