Oyster Shells in Larger quantities?

[CourtneyAnn]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knew of a place I could buy oyster shell in larger quantities? The local feed store only sells it in 5lb bags and that's all I can find online too. I was hoping for a larger bag (maybe 25lbs?) instead of having to order 5-6 small bags a month. I normally mix some with their food but they kept knocking the container over. So I started giving it to them in a separate feeder after I read another thread about it here and they actually eat quite a bit of it. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Mehjr10]

TSC usually has it in larger bags.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/manna-proreg;-oyster-shell-50-lb

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Have you asked them if they can ORDER larger bags?
Most stores CAN get many things they don't always keep on hand

There are places online that have 25 lb bags for sale:
https://www.google.com/search?compl...rch&sclient=psy-ab&q=25+lb+oyster+shell&btnK=

 

[Cindy in PA]

Our TSC carries 50 lb bags, which aren't that large because the stuff is heavy. I think they charge 9.99. I can get it at other feed stores also, but my local farmer/feed dealer sells it for $8.00/50lbs. Usually lasts me a year or so for 12 chickens depending on what I'm feeding.

 

[CourtneyAnn]

Thank you both so much! I will look at the TSC. I looked it up online and they are not too far away! TY SOOOO much!

 

[CourtneyAnn]

I meant all. Sorry.

 

[donrae]

I think you're going through way too much oyster shell a month. I got a 50lb bag from my Grange probably 2 years ago and haven't used, gosh, probably a fifth of it. I think it's going to outlive me lol.

The hens don't need tons of shell every day, and I'd wager you're losing a lot of it. They only lay one egg a day, it's really not that much calcium. I just toss a handful or two in the run whenever I think of it, or notice thinner egg shells. I keep a flock of about 2 dozen layers, to give you an idea of how many birds that much shell is going for. I also feed egg shells back to the birds, that's free!

I think my 50lb bag was around $8.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: I agree, unless they have 100 chickens or more

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knew of a place I could buy oyster shell in larger quantities? The local feed store only sells it in 5lb bags and that's all I can find online too. I was hoping for a larger bag (maybe 25lbs?) instead of having to order 5-6 small bags a month. I normally mix some with their food but they kept knocking the container over. So I started giving it to them in a separate feeder after I read another thread about it here and they actually eat quite a bit of it. Any help would be appreciated!

Grit and shell both came in 50 pound bags when I had cage layers.

What I do now is hang an aluminum Vienna Sausage can (they are lined so don't spaz about the aluminum) against the pen next to and 4 to 6 inches higher than the roost poles. I use two wires to suspend the cans, one at the bottom and one at the top to hold the can tight, up right, and still against the wall. I do this so the can won't swing like a pendulum and get spilled. Then before I hang the can I use the point of a 16p nail to put four evenly spaced holes around the inside bottom edge of each can to let any rain water or snow melt drain out. I use one can for grit and one can right besides it for oyster shell. It keeps the grit and oyster shell clean, dry, and available at all times. For a couple of hens and one rooster this much oyster shell and grit will last from 12 - 24 months and in some cases longer. Even at this most of the grit is spilled because every time I witnessed the grit being eaten by a hen or rooster they pecked and raked through it (especially the grit) with their bills for a couple of minute like Goldie Locks looking for a bowl of porridge that was "Just Right."

Call feed milling companies were they make and bag the chicken feed, here is were I got my last 50# bag but the price on 50# has gone up to almost $12.
http://www.southernstates.com/catalog/p-4688-coastal-poultry-shell-50lb.aspx

Also check this out.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/271275195749

 

[OldGuy43]

I'm inclined to agree you're using up to much depending on how big your flock is, of course. With about a dozen hens and a dozen ducks we only use a 50# bag a year, but than there's a lot of limestone in the run naturally. We buy it from the local general store, Callahan's.