Is it okay...

[Thechickentrainer1999]

Is it okay to give chickens expired oyster shells. We just bought a brand new pack of oyster shells and apparently they expired 4 years ago. I have no clue how they even managed to sit in the store that long. Also how much should I give them? They have 1 of those hanging feeders where you just poor food.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I don’t think oyster shell can expire as it’s crushed oyster shell and not real food. Maybe check the oyster shell to make sure that it’s not moldy.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I personally would still use it calcium is in the shells and gets leeched out and absorbed by the hen. Never heard of an expiration on absorbancy. Im assuming the expiration is just a formality or law that the bag has to have one.

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

I don’t think oyster shell can expire as it’s crushed oyster shell and not real food. Maybe check the oyster shell to make sure that it’s not moldy.

Here's a picture they have not been opened:

 

[Punkybrewster]

Not an issue and i would use it in my opinion.

 

[Abriana]

Maybe it was a mistake and they meant to write 18

 

[Punkybrewster]

...unless its moldy like brama said

 

[cmom]

I would use them. I put some oyster shells and grit in my feeders with the feed. I know there are a lot of people who disagree with this method but it works for me. I had it in separate dishes which I thought couldn't be tipped over but they were and it was all over the floor of the coop so now every once in awhile I add it in the feeder.

 

[PirateGirl]

It's possible that is the date packaged and not the expiration date. If you call the manufacturer, they will let you know.

I do not think they actually expire/go bad. I've never paid attention to the date on oyster shells and have purchased a bag that will probably take my flock over a year to go through.

 

[WestoftheRest]

I would be willing to bet that is the bag date. If it’s like feed 8 is the year and and 14 is the day. So it was bagged May 14th 2018