Oyster shell or calcium source rec for Button Quail?

[AlyssaJane22]

Hi, everyone!

I've been having trouble lately finding oyster shell that is small enough for my button quail to actually eat. The last bag of "oyster shell" that we ordered (Mana pro) was pebble sized rocks that were much, much too large for their little beaks. The last bag we ordered from them was flaked crushed shell, so I guess they changed their formula. Everything I've found on Amazon has multiple negative reviews due to the pieces being too large for chickens to eat, so I feel pretty sure they will NOT be a good gamble for my crew. Our local Wilco only carried Purina Oyster Shell, which is also 90% crushed coral (small rocks). Tried grinding it in a spice mill, which it promptly destroyed.

What do you use for your calcium source? We tried oyster flour, but they wont touch it on its own, and they don't seem to actually get enough of it when we mix it in with their food (we've had some unhealthy looking shells recently). I would love to get this resolved ASAP, as our attempted solutions have been unsuccessful, and I don't want our girls to go any longer without enough calcium. We've been restricting their light to try to cut down on laying while we resolve this, but they're young and keep laying away, even with only 10 hrs. of light.

Any oyster shell brand recommendations or other calcium sources would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

We have chickens, so I am not sure this would work for you. But here goes, we have ground up egg shells in an old blender to provide extra calcium and live in an area where resturants have to pay to have oyster shells removed, (almost every resturant serves oysters here), they are often more than happy to let you pick up a bucket or two if you want or need them. Then my husband breaks them up to the size we want with a sledge hammer in a five gallon bucket, (kind of like churning butter). Hope this helps, perhaps you could break up the larger oyster shells to a more appropriate size. Good luck

 

[JaeG]

You should be able to get caged bird sized oyster shell. Do you have a pet shop near you at all? Then at least you could see what you are buying.

 

[blackdust951]

what about cuttlefish bone? has anyone else tried that? i might have to if i can't find anything else and you could try crushing than microwaving egg shells

 

[Isaac 0]

Manna Pro has Pullet sized Oyster shells.I have a bag and there is really small pieces.Almost powder.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Manna Pro has Pullet sized Oyster shells.I have a bag and there is really small pieces.Almost powder.

Thanks, good to know

 

[Dani xxx]

I got fine oyster shell grit from amazon in a 25kg bag works great

 

[paneubert]

I just grind mine in an old blender. Buy the smallest you can (for me it was "chick" sized grit) and then blend it until it is the size you want.

 

[Moonchicken77]

I just grind mine in an old blender. Buy the smallest you can (for me it was "chick" sized grit) and then blend it until it is the size you want.

Fully agreed I bought a mini chopper 6.88 at Walmart and it pulverized the shells! Works like a champ!