Grit

[SA&P]

Apologies if someone has posted this in an article already. I couldn’t find it.
I think I’ve read somewhere that I can give eggshells as grit to my chickens.
I’ve washed them in cool water and left them to air dry. Is that correct?
If so, how small should I crush them?

Do I leave it in a separate feed tray or mix it in with their feed?
Any advice would be appreciated, total newbie here.
Thank you

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Eggshells can be given as supplemental calcium. You should always have oyster shells and grit available, which are different things.

 

[Abriana]

Just leave it on the ground. You can crush them pretty small, or just toss them in and let the hens get some entertainment out of breaking them up. Supplemental calcium and grit should be available all the time to the flock, not just egg shells.
Also they love egg, raw or cooked!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Grit is to help chickens grind the food they eat, If they aren't free ranging, and can't naturally find it. Egg shells are very good for hens. I have oyster shell out for mine, but they haven't touched it is probably a year. But they free range.
I would definitely give them the egg shell. I also wouldn't bother washing, or drying. Chickens can handle it just fine.

 

[SA&P]

Grit is to help chickens grind the food they eat, If they aren't free ranging, and can't naturally find it. Egg shells are very good for hens. I have oyster shell out for mine, but they haven't touched it is probably a year. But they free range.
I would definitely give them the egg shell. I also wouldn't bother washing, or drying. Chickens can handle it just fine.

Thank you. Yes, mine free range too.

 

[SA&P]

Thanks for helping everyone.

 

[chickenreyna]

I used to use egg shells until i got tired of the process of shredding them so tiny. I did find helpful tip microwaving them for 30-45second made it easierand smudge faster to break up and you have to finely crush it up..like i mean tiny or my flock turned their noses or should I say beaks beaks unless its finely cut up so thin pieces but every flock varies.. I finally bought oyster shell grit and they refuse to eat it so NOW I am having to sneak it in their scraps.. Picky little things! !!!!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Apologies if someone has posted this in an article already. I couldn’t find it.
I think I’ve read somewhere that I can give eggshells as grit to my chickens.
I’ve washed them in cool water and left them to air dry. Is that correct?
If so, how small should I crush them? View attachment 1247363
Do I leave it in a separate feed tray or mix it in with their feed?
Any advice would be appreciated, total newbie here.
Thank you

Hi @SA&P

There are 2 "types" of grit.

There is "insoluble grit" which is usually made of crushed granite (poultry grit). These small stones/rocks are used in the gizzard to help grind up/process foods.

There is also "soluble grit" which is usually oyster shell (in the UK, I think it's called "shell grit"). This is uses as a supplemental form of calcium.

Yes, you can dry, crush and feed back the egg shells to your ladies, mine gobble them up. They can be a good source of calcium, but you may want to also make the oyster shell available too.

Egg shells are not hard enough to act as a grit for the gizzard.
You may find this helpful https://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/types-of-poultry-grit/

 

[SA&P]

Thank you @Wyorp Rock
I’ve bought oyster shell at West Cumberland Farmers today.

 

[SA&P]

Thank you @chickenreyna
I think I was a bit paranoid that they’d start to eat their own eggs so I washed them in luke warm water to eradicate any trace of the yolk and the white, then just air dried them overnight. They crumbled to tiny flecks very easily.