Oyster shells molding?

[yarrowhouse]

Our two lady ducks have been laying non-stop since January, so we want to be sure we're giving them plenty of calcium.

And ongoing problem we have is their bowl of oyster shells develops a gray feathery mold. Their food does not, and it is kept right next to it. We find this strange, and we're not sure how to prevent it. Any ideas?

 

[Logar]

oyster shells shouldn't mold. I keep mine in a pile on the ground completely exposed to the rain and other elements and have never had an issue with it. What brand are you using? I having been using these oyster shells for a while and have been happy with them.

 

[RubelliteRose]

I having been using these oyster shells for a while and have been happy with them.

I use the same oyster shells and have also not had any problems with mold.

their bowl of oyster shells develops a gray feathery mold

Are your shells sitting in water? Would it be possible to add drainage holes to the bottom of the bowl? I keep the oyster shells for my hens in an inexpensive bird feeder like this one that has slats in the tray for drainage. Not sure if ducks could use it, but maybe you could find something similar that works for ducks?

 

[WingItRanch]

I had mine in a plastic container with a couple holes drilled in the bottom but water ended up sitting in it (sideways rain from multiple hurricanes) and there was mold. It wasn't the oyster shells themselves that molded but the container. That's probably your issue too. I'm looking for a better airy container myself. The bird feeder is a good idea as long as it has good drainage.

 

[Bawkbok]

I use Dumor or Manna Pro - neither mold when wet although they do get gunky, which I don't like, so I replace as necessary. I have them in a separate plastic feeder which they end up spilling anyway so they end up on the ground.
I've tried using a stainless feeder that hangs on the run and they end up knocking that off so they still end up on the ground. Silly chickens.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I keep mine in one of these. It does not have drainage holes but I keep it in the coop where it stays dry. This is for my chickens, I don't have ducks, but it's a thought. Would this work for ducks? These are cat feeders.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

PS, they are setting on an overturned tub to keep them above the bedding, which is shredded paper.

 

[yarrowhouse]

Thanks for the perspective. For now we're going to try a different bowl, we've been using a black rubber bowl same as the food sitting next to the oyster shells, which oddly the food bowls never have mold. But we'll try a different bowl.

We will also add more oyster shells around the pen in another bowl and on some rocks by where they like to sit. Just to make them more available.