Is it okay for ducklings to eat oyster shells?

[CoriM]

I have never had young ducks interested in oyster shells before, but I've just moved out my 7 and 9 week old ducklings into the big coop and for the last several days they've been eating them. They have grit and have plenty of time on grass, but they seem to really like the oyster shells. I'm so confused - I went to the trouble of ordering an all-clock feed that has lower calcium because I thought the higher calcium in my layer feed was bad for the ducklings.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It shouldn't hurt them, but it's probably best to raise the dish up so the ducklings don't just feast on them if possible.