Oyster shell vs egg shell

[mossyoakpro]

Do the layers get enough calcium from the egg shells vs. oyster shell? I'm not having issues but was curious because they pick through the oyster and get the egg shell out....my eggs are hard as a brick so it has not become a problem yet.

I was just curious if there was a huge difference? TIA

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oyster shells stay in the body longer so they are available especially during nighttime when birds don't eat, but need the calcium to apply the egg shells to the egg their body is working on.

Egg shells are more delicious to a chicken, but they are broken down quickly. It's okay to offer both. Hens don't often eat much of the oyster shells, but they should always be available free choice.

 

[mossyoakpro]

Oyster shells stay in the body longer so they are available especially during nighttime when birds don't eat, but need the calcium to apply the egg shells to the egg their body is working on.

Egg shells are more delicious to a chicken, but they are broken down quickly. It's okay to offer both. Hens don't often eat much of the oyster shells, but they should always be available free choice.

Thanks! I notice they do eat some of the oyster shell but when I supplement with the baked egg shells they pick through to get those out throwing the oyster shell out on the ground....I normally only put the egg shell about once a week.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks! I notice they do eat some of the oyster shell but when I supplement with the baked egg shells they pick through to get those out throwing the oyster shell out on the ground....I normally only put the egg shell about once a week.

To cut down on waste of your oyster shells I would feed the shells separately. Chickens love egg shells. I usually just dump mine on the ground. I don't bake them either.

 

[mossyoakpro]

To cut down on waste of your oyster shells I would feed the shells separately. Chickens love egg shells. I usually just dump mine on the ground. I don't bake them either.

I wasn't baking them but they seem to be much easier to crunch up when baked...I usually just slide them in the oven after my wife bakes something and leave them until it cools down.

 

[Smokerbill]

I wasn't baking them but they seem to be much easier to crunch up when baked...I usually just slide them in the oven after my wife bakes something and leave them until it cools down.

I usually set the eggshells out in the sun for a couple day and they get crispy.

 

[Debbie292d]

I usually set the eggshells out in the sun for a couple day and they get crispy.

Then you just throw them to the chickens after that? I hope so, as maybe I'll do this as I don't give them egg shells now. I just do oyster shell.

 

[ChicHerder]

I wasn't baking them but they seem to be much easier to crunch up when baked...I usually just slide them in the oven after my wife bakes something and leave them until it cools down.

I found when I rinsed the insides they crunched up easily (after they dry in a bowl too) without the egg whites acting as a glue and sticking egg bits to my fingers.

 

[Ruffled Feathers]

i rinse, dry, bake, crush, then add the powder to their feed. I also use the powder in compost and when I plant tomatoes.

For those that don’t bake and feed shells without mixing with oyster shell or feed - do you ever have problems with chickens going after the eggs in the nesting box?

 

[Sussex19]

If you just give them their egg shells, the calcium available will slowly get less and less, as some will get lost along the way.
If you only want to give them egg shells, you would have to get lots from other sources as well : )