Ground oyster shells vs. egg shells

[aart]

I use both, mixed together...NOT mixed into feed.

 

[B_Chickle01]

When production slows down, I give them oyster shell. Now that production is back up, giving them back their egg shells works well and it's free.

I've never done anything special to the egg shells to hide what they are, never baked them or crushed them up...almost 4 years into having chickens and they have never eaten their own eggs.

Do you notice with your flock that giving them oyster shells first as opposed to egg seem to be more efficient with getting their production back up to speed?! I’m going to go grab some oyster shells after reading all the comments on here! My chickens still aren’t laying! My older hen laid one egg last week and has not since

 

[B_Chickle01]

We were doing egg shells along with free choice oyster shell. We just cook the eggs, take them out to the run the next day, and that was that. No more, we think by not baking and smashing them up to tiny pieces has lead to us having an Egg Eater(s) in our flock. So we only offer oyster shell and use layer feed since all are laying pullets.

I worry about them ending up having a taste for eggs now after this! We shall see! I’m going to pick up some oyster shells later anyways just to offer both.

 

[B_Chickle01]

I use both, mixed together...NOT mixed into feed.

Why do you not mix it in feed? Just curious why you’re against mixing with their feed. I’ve read people saying they mix it in feed but also people saying they offer it on side but never saw anything say not to mix! I personally have been giving it to mine on the side I just felt it would be better so they aren’t consuming more then needed.

 

[NatJ]

Why do you not mix it in feed? Just curious why you’re against mixing with their feed. I’ve read people saying they mix it in feed but also people saying they offer it on side but never saw anything say not to mix!

Each hen needs a particular amount of calcium each day. If they get way too much it is bad, and if they get way too little it is bad.

When you mix the oyster shell into the chicken feed, the chickens are pretty much stuck with whatever amount you put in, even if it's too much or too little for them.

If you put the oyster shell in a separate dish, then each hen can eat the amount she needs. Most chickens are quite good at eating the right amount. (A few hens will not eat enough oyster shell, and after a while they will start laying softshell eggs. But this is not very common. Hens like that would do better with oyster shell mixed into their feed, or with layer feed that already has enough calcium in it.)

I personally have been giving it to mine on the side I just felt it would be better so they aren’t consuming more then needed.

Exactly right!

 

[Yardmom]

If you only give egg shells they do not get enough calcium. Some calcium is always lost in the process. For some the layer feed is enough, for others oyster shells are also needed. Hens that are not currently laying do not need the extra calcium, so they won't eat much of it. Only when they are "making" eggs do they start consuming more. Giving them oyster shells will not make them start laying. I feed my shells uncrushed, unbaked. I also provide oyster shells. I know there are hens that love the taste of whole eggs, but a lack of calcium not the shape of empty shells is more likely to cause egg eating. I have had egg eaters without added oyster shells who stopped when more calcium was offered. I have not had any egg eaters with both offered.

 

[Brown Chick]

How fine is recommended to crush the shells? I have been saving store bought shells for 4 months and it’s time to process them. I have one layer now!

 

[B_Chickle01]

Each hen needs a particular amount of calcium each day. If they get way too much it is bad, and if they get way too little it is bad.

When you mix the oyster shell into the chicken feed, the chickens are pretty much stuck with whatever amount you put in, even if it's too much or too little for them.

If you put the oyster shell in a separate dish, then each hen can eat the amount she needs. Most chickens are quite good at eating the right amount. (A few hens will not eat enough oyster shell, and after a while they will start laying softshell eggs. But this is not very common. Hens like that would do better with oyster shell mixed into their feed, or with layer feed that already has enough calcium in it.)



Exactly right!

Thank you for explaining! I figured that that was the reason! It makes sense. But what i was wondering is what if my roosters eat the egg or oyster shells? Would it harm them or no?

 

[AntiqueB]

I wash, rinse, dry, and crush egg shells, and feed it back with oyster shell. I only have 1 laying right now, and she prefers the egg shell (it's always pretty much gone), but I've also caught her eating oyster.

I crush mine to about the size of the oyster flakes, maybe a bit smaller, since I think the egg shells end up being sharper.

 

[EverV]

Was curious to see who uses ground oyster shells or who uses eggs shells to ensure extra calcium to help with egg laying especially during the colder months. Which did chickens prefer and did you introduce it to them by itself in a dish or mixed in with their feed?! I was worried about them starting to peck at their eggs after laying cause I read that happens because they end up enjoying the taste of egg shells!

I do egg shells just for convenience and price reasons. I just bake them and break them into large (1/4-1/2 inch) pieces and put them in a separate bowl. I wouldn't recommend mixing it in with their feed as they are at risk of eating too much. As long as they are getting plenty of calcium, and the egg shell pieces are small enough so that they don't look curved, I think egg shells are fine.