Oyster shell- anything to know?

[Happy Novogens]

Was looking at oyster shells for when I get chickens. I saw 2 brands at Cal-Ranch -- both 5 lb bags, but one was $7.99 while the other was $12.99. That's quite a variance!

Is there any reason? Does it really matter or is there something to know regarding oyster shells?

 

[springvalley123]

You don't want to feed oyster shells until they're just about ready to lay. When you do start give them in a separate dish. I buy the 50 lb bag for about $14 now. It doesn't get stale, no need to spend so much for just a tiny bag.

 

[SourRoses]

I haven't tried all the Oyster Shell on the market but that Manna Pro one that says it's "Oyster Shell and Coral" is really just coral and the hens don't like it.

The picture on the Purina bag is discouraging as it looks like white rocks.

It appears "Oyster Shell" now has nothing to do with Oysters and just means "Source of Calcium" no matter how inferior. The liars!

I've scoured the forum through threads on Oyster Shell trying to find out where I can get the right thing (FLAKED Oyster Shell) for a decent price, but even one highly recommended brand, when I read the reviews online, has since started to use mixed Seashells razed from beaches rather than Oysters.

So, I looked at alternatives including "Crab meal" and the aforementioned Seashell but I have trouble making decisions when it's not what I sought.
Gaaaaaar!

 

[springvalley123]

The only place I've found the flakes is Cal-Ranch. I've found TSC just has the "rocks" but my birds will eat that too.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I assume the prices are due to the fact that they're different brands.

I've never tried the pelleted sort of calcium supplement l to see if my birds would eat them. If you want actual flaked shells, Scratch & Peck and Small Pet Select both offer those.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I actually find flaked oyster at Walmart, of all places. The Vibrant Life brand. My chickens will eat whatever I put down for them. My ducks will only eat flaked.

Divas...

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I haven't tried all the Oyster Shell on the market but that Manna Pro one that says it's "Oyster Shell and Coral" is really just coral and the hens don't like it.

The picture on the Purina bag is discouraging as it looks like white rocks.

It appears "Oyster Shell" now has nothing to do with Oysters and just means "Source of Calcium" no matter how inferior. The liars!

I've scoured the forum through threads on Oyster Shell trying to find out where I can get the right thing (FLAKED Oyster Shell) for a decent price, but even one highly recommended brand, when I read the reviews online, has since started to use mixed Seashells razed from beaches rather than Oysters.

So, I looked at alternatives including "Crab meal" and the aforementioned Seashell but I have trouble making decisions when it's not what I sought.
Gaaaaaar!

Thanks, this was enlightening. I just blithely bought anything marked "oyster shell," assuming it was. I'll start reading labels now, thanks!

 

[Mattl12]

Was looking at oyster shells for when I get chickens. I saw 2 brands at Cal-Ranch -- both 5 lb bags, but one was $7.99 while the other was $12.99. That's quite a variance!

Is there any reason? Does it really matter or is there something to know regarding oyster shells?

Buy A coffee grinder. Throw the spent egg shells in A freezer bag till you have amassed enough then bake them on low for and hour or two. Grind them up and mix A spoon with your layer's feed every so often.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Buy A coffee grinder. Throw the spent egg shells in A freezer bag till you have amassed enough then bake them on low for and hour or two. Grind them up and mix A spoon with your layer's feed every so often.

I have 11 laying hens and 5 laying ducks. It takes me weeks to get enough to provide enough to feed back to them, which I do. It's not enough by a long shot, esp since they end up being without any extra calcium for weeks at a time. And adding calcium to their feed isn't good for roosters or young pullets. But it certainly does help some.

 

[raingarden]

This one is real flaked oyster shell instead of white rocks. I don't know if it makes any difference. It's a nostalgia thing, but look at the price difference.