Oyster shells - where do you buy them?

[joebryant]

My dark-blue and two black Orpington hens are 22 weeks old this week and should begin laying soon.
Where do you buy cracked oyster shells that are small enough for the hens to eat?
What size packages do they come in?
What do you use to put them in?
Any advice on using them.

 

[Katy]

You might have a bit to wait yet....my BBS didn't start until almost 27 weeks.

I get my oyster shell at TSC or Orchelns. You can get it in 50 pound bags....sometimes they have smaller bags there.

I just put mine out in a feed pan.

 

[joebryant]

Thanks, Katy, that's good to know that it might be five more weeks. I'll plan on their starting about the middle of November. Maybe I'll start giving them layer feed and oyster shells the first week of November.
I hope that I can buy the oyster shells in a much smaller amound than 50 pounds because I plan to never have more than seven hens, preferably six, and a rooster.
With six hens, how long do you think that ten pounds would last?

 

[SandraMort]

Can't you just pick some up at a fish shop if you need small amounts? Put it in a bag and smash it with a hammer.

 

[Queen Scoot]

tractor supply usually has them if you have one near you. i got mine in a 5 pound bag for like 4 something i think.

 

[katrinag]

Farm and Fleet

 

[jenjen]

Our Walmart sells oyster shell in 5 lb bags. It's 3 or 4 bucks

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Thanks, All, I have a TSC and Walmart near me. I'll check them out for a small quantity.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I got a 50# bag of calcium chips for $10.00. I used to buy 5 pound bags of oyster shell, for $6.00 until I found out about the 50# bag.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
What are "calcium chips" and where did you buy them?