Oyster shell not available currently-what else do ducks like?

[Petaluma Petting Zoo]

Hi everyone,

Currently here in Sonoma County CA oyster shell is not available and the feed stores are unsure when they will have any available. Any ideas about what else I can give my ducks? I have tried the other standard chicken calcium and no one touched it, not even the chickens

thanks for your help,

love the duckies

 

[Charlotte17]

Crush up egg shells fine in a blender add it to the food.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Ask your feed store if they have crushed eggshell. If so, this eliminates the need for you to **ruin** your food processor (glass, plastic and blades) in the process of making the shells unrecognizable. The store-bought crushed eggshell is pulverized into a powder and easily mixes with their feed or can be served on the side. Sometimes I'll mix some of this with mashed hard boiled eggs and I can feed it out as treats or even to one bird for medicinal purposes. Since you've mentioned that this is for your ducks, and since they require moisture with their feed, often washing what they eat to obtain enough moisture, placing eggshell on the side may not be an option for you; you may be forced to mix it with their feed and treats to ensure they get enough calcium.

 

[SolarDuck]

You can order oyster shell on chewy.com with 2 day shipping

 

[Petaluma Petting Zoo]

I think the ducks are mainly using the oyster shell for grit. Not sure if the egg shells would serve this purpose? Chewy.com is out of oyster shell as well.

 

[SolarDuck]

Chewy.com is out of oyster shell as well.

Maybe this?
https://www.chewy.com/browns-ground-seashells-calcium-grit/dp/216151

 

[KaleIAm]

Grit is insoluble. It stays in the gizzard and it's used to grind food. Oyster shell dissolves in the gut. Its job is not to do with digestion - it is to add calcium to the diet of laying hens.

They need both, if they are laying eggs and eating food other than commercial pellets/crumble. But they can get grit from the ground naturally.

I was going to suggest chewy as well. Have you tried Amazon?

 

[Pollo Blanco]

Hi everyone,

Currently here in Sonoma County CA oyster shell is not available and the feed stores are unsure when they will have any available. Any ideas about what else I can give my ducks? I have tried the other standard chicken calcium and no one touched it, not even the chickens

thanks for your help,

love the duckies

Crushed limestone takes care of the grit issue and the calcium issue in one fell swoop. Very common for walkways and driveways.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I have been having the same problems and my usual distributor has been out of stock for 2 months now. I just ordered a 50lb bag for $63 from Mile Four. I prefer the flaked grey oysters, but with what's currently available their oyster shells looked the closest. https://milefour.com/products/oyster-shell?variant=19753986555992

 

[Petaluma Petting Zoo]

I have been having the same problems and my usual distributor has been out of stock for 2 months now. I just ordered a 50lb bag for $63 from Mile Four. I prefer the flaked grey oysters, but with what's currently available their oyster shells looked the closest. https://milefour.com/products/oyster-shell?variant=19753986555992

thank you! do your ducks/chicks like it? Mine like the flakes too and would not eat the stuff that looked like little pebbles. Our local distributer emailed me and told me that goverment restrictions on dredging the oyster shell is the problem. They expect to be back in stock in September.