Oyster Shell problem

[TheChips]

I have been having problems with my hens and oyster shell.

They seem too big for them to eat. They end up taking out the oyster shell from the feed bowl. I end up with a bunch of white specks all over the floor.

Ive tested it out a few times too. Ill put a bunch of food in my hands and when they run into an oyster shell rock they pick it up, and put it on the floor.

Whats the best way to grind this up?

 

[SIMZ]

Are you getting it from the feed store? I wonder if it's too big, or if they simply don't want/need it. We offer it free choice in a section of the trough along side their food. They will definitely pick the food over the oyster shell unless they specifically need it. I may only need to fill up the little section of oyster shell every week or two, but need to refill the feed every day.

 

[rojororeo]

I have a friend who puts her oyster shell through a coffee grinder.

That said, my birds eat it with no problems, but much rather eat their dried and crushed egg shell.
The oyster I provide looks like little pieces of broken shell. When i first got them, I was providing something that looked pelleted, and they hated it. The bag said oyster shell, but I don't think it really was, and if it was, then it was ground and extruded or something.
Could that be your issue?

 

[TheChips]

Mine are pellet sized too. They prefer the crushed egg shells. I ground them up and sprinkle it over their treats so they eat it all up. If it sets there alone they wont have anything to do with it.

Theyre big rock sized pellets. Ive never seen them eat it whole

 

[rojororeo]

Mine are pellet sized too. They prefer the crushed egg shells. I ground them up and sprinkle it over their treats so they eat it all up. If it sets there alone they wont have anything to do with it.

Theyre big rock sized pellets. Ive never seen them eat it whole

Exactly. Try grinding it, if you can/want to. My friend says it works.