Is it safe?

[Mybackyardpeepers]

So my chickens will not eat the oyster shells, as I think it is to chunky for their liking. I read that pulverized limestone is safe as a supplement for calcium. Is this information correct? Thanks!!

 

[Ebony Rose]

I don't know about limestone, but you can ask your feed store for ground eggshell (or even grind your own eggshell from those that you've used at home). Every bit as good as OS, and my birds like it.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I don't know about limestone, but you can ask your feed store for ground eggshell (or even grind your own eggshell from those that you've used at home). Every bit as good as OS, and my birds like it.

Never knew they sell ground egg shells! We are not huge egg eaters lol but I do give them what we use it's just not often.

 

[PirateGirl]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/for-strong-eggshells-size-matters/

Check out this interesting read on why the particle size of the supplemental calcium matters.

If you are not seeing a shell quality issue, I would not worry too much if they are not eating the oyster shells. I have 9 layers and have been working on a 50lb bag of oyster shell for over a year now.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/for-strong-eggshells-size-matters/

Check out this interesting read on why the particle size of the supplemental calcium matters.

If you are not seeing a shell quality issue, I would not worry too much if they are not eating the oyster shells. I have 9 layers and have been working on a 50lb bag of oyster shell for over a year now.

Thank you so much for the article. Yes they do have laying problems, and I also have younger non laying pullets with them so I do not feed a 100% layer food.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/for-strong-eggshells-size-matters/

Check out this interesting read on why the particle size of the supplemental calcium matters.

If you are not seeing a shell quality issue, I would not worry too much if they are not eating the oyster shells. I have 9 layers and have been working on a 50lb bag of oyster shell for over a year now.

So ground limestone is ok it said!

 

[pibb]

There are 2 types of ground limestone: dolomitic and calcitic. Dolomitic lime is ~50% calcium carbonate and ~40% magnesium carbonate, and calcitic is up to 100% calcium carbonate.

Calcium and magnesium may compete for intestinal absorption per https://www.naturalhealthresearch.org/calcium-magnesium-mortality/

I'm not sure if it's absorbed the same in chickens or not but either way it should be fine just don't over do it. Just know that they may absorb more magnesium than calcium if you use dolomitic lime. If you plan on mixing it in the feed let me know and I'll see if I can calculate how much lime to use per lb of feed.

I have a pile of (i believe) dolomitic lime laying around and they made a dust bath out of it.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

There are 2 types of ground limestone: dolomitic and calcitic. Dolomitic lime is ~50% calcium carbonate and ~40% magnesium carbonate, and calcitic is up to 100% calcium carbonate.

Calcium and magnesium may compete for intestinal absorption per https://www.naturalhealthresearch.org/calcium-magnesium-mortality/

I'm not sure if it's absorbed the same in chickens or not but either way it should be fine just don't over do it. Just know that they may absorb more magnesium than calcium if you use dolomitic lime. If you plan on mixing it in the feed let me know and I'll see if I can calculate how much lime to use per lb of feed.

I have a pile of (i believe) dolomitic lime laying around and they made a dust bath out of it.

Awesome, thank you Soo much!! I was going to purchase from TSC, I will ask what kind it is and no I'm not mixing in the food as I have youngsters in that flock.

 

[pibb]

If it is Waukesha Shur Tred Barn Lime, then it is dolomitic since it says it adds magnesium.
https://www.walbecgroup.com/services/agricultural-lime-products

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

If it is Waukesha Shur Tred Barn Lime, then it is dolomitic since it says it adds magnesium.
https://www.walbecgroup.com/services/agricultural-lime-products

Ok that's the stuff we used at show barns in the stalls. I'm going to assume but will be sure the stuff I'm getting (pulverized) is the other kind you mentioned. Thanks for all your help, someone laid a shell less on the coop floor this morning!