My chickens don't like Oyster Shell

[Sally PB]

My pullets eat crushed egg shell, but I don't see evidence of them eating oyster shell. Their eggshells seem to be fine, so maybe they eat it when I'm not looking. I have the two mixed together. When I put OS on top of the egg shell, the pile seems to look the same at the end of the day.

I wondered if the OS bits were too large. The smaller bits settle to the bottom, getting buried under egg shell pieces. The big OS pieces are about the same size as their grit, and they eat the grit just fine. I tried sifting the OS to sort out the bigger chunks, and maybe that made a difference, as I thought they ate some. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there an easy way to smash up the big pieces of OS?

 

[21hens-incharge]

What brand are you using?

Mine refuse any and all attempts to get them to use manna pro brand.
They ALL go for the pacific pearl brand.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oyster shells digest very slowly, so they won't consume it as much as the eggshells which digest much quicker, so they need more of it. The oyster shells are better because calcium is available longer in their bodies.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If the egg shells are Ok you don't have a problem, keep doing what you re doing.

Hens can get calcium for their egg shell from many different places. That could be chicken feed, some plants they eat, creepy crawlies they love to catch, or if your native rock is limestone form the rocks they use for grit. If your egg shells are OK they are getting enough. Eating too much could harm them. Don't try to trick them into eating more than they need.

 

[Sally PB]

The brand is DuMor. I don't know if TSC has another brand, but I will look.

I did know that OS lasted longer/was used more slowly by their bodies. Maybe they are getting enough. I see them eating egg shell often. I tried putting some OS on their food, and even offering it in my palm with some pellets. Nope.

Just saw your post, Ridgerunner. I feel better about it now. I think I will look for a different brand, just in case. I was worried about running out of egg shells.

Thanks everyone! Gee, I love BYC!

 

[GC-Raptor]

If you are feeding Layer feed and egg shells they probably won't need oyster shells.
I wouldn't worry if their eggs are hard shelled.

When I fed a Layers feed to my first Flock of 5 Golden Comets a 5 lb bag of shells lasted over a year.
Now I don't feed a layers feed and they happily consume Manna Pro brand.
My 3 hens and 5 pullets consume about a pound monthly in my wildly estimated guess.
I keep it in hanging 40 ounce pails. I just add some when I see it has gone down a half inch or so.

GC

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

Oyster shells digest very slowly, so they won't consume it as much as the eggshells which digest much quicker, so they need more of it. The oyster shells are better because calcium is available longer in their bodies.

Good to know! I wondered why the eggshell went so much faster!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good to know! I wondered why the eggshell went so much faster!

They also probably have bits of yummy eggs on them and probably taste better.

 

[Sally PB]

I have them on all flock, 20% protein, as I also have a cockerel. So I know the pullets need some calcium.

I wash the egg shells and peel out the membrane, or what I can get out. I read that I should do that before I got chickens, but don't know where I read it, so I can't go back and see what the reasoning is. Does someone here know? Or am I misremembering or is it a myth?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have them on all flock, 20% protein, as I also have a cockerel. So I know the pullets need some calcium.

I wash the egg shells and peel out the membrane, or what I can get out. I read that I should do that before I got chickens, but don't know where I read it, so I can't go back and see what the reasoning is. Does someone here know? Or am I misremembering or is it a myth?

I don't peel out the membrane. I dry them in a warm (not hot) oven so they crush easier but that's the only thing I do to them.