Oyster shells

[HeatherKellyB]

From the vendor’ email to me:
We did testing on the clam and coral mixes that are out there. Chickens and ducks cannot absorb any calcium from them, they are very hard and just pass through their system.

This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing this. I really hope I kept the bag and it states what's actually in the bag. I wonder if that's why I am having so many shell issues with my chickens? My Pekin Duck is having shell quality issues too but she's molting. I have given her calcium citrate + vitamin D3 on a few occasions but it doesn't really change much. I'm going to be looking into this. Thank you so much for bringing it to our attention! I think I'll look into buying some of the flakes either way. Thanks again for everything

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Gorgeous, adorable duckies! You are a wonderful duck Mom!

Thank you so much for your kind words

 

[Knighstar679]

This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing this. I really hope I kept the bag and it states what's actually in the bag. I wonder if that's why I am having so many shell issues with my chickens? My Pekin Duck is having shell quality issues too but she's molting. I have given her calcium citrate + vitamin D3 on a few occasions but it doesn't really change much. I'm going to be looking into this. Thank you so much for bringing it to our attention! I think I'll look into buying some of the flakes either way. Thanks again for everything

There are a couple of herbs that you can add to food that can improve shell quality. I add a mix to my food along with mana pro omega maker. I have noticed a better eggs and even more fertility in my eggs.

 

[raingarden]

You can get five pounds of really nice flaked oyster shell on ebay for ten bucks with free shipping https://www.ebay.com/itm/151040205220

Five pounds will go a long ways. But, the ebay seller probably only paid $25 to $30 for a fifty pound bag.

I just sprinkle some shell in with the feed. It does not seem to accumulate in the bottom of the feeder so it's going somewhere.

In many states, oyster harvesters are required to replant a certain amount of oyster shell for the baby oysters to attach too. Oyster shell used to be considered a waste product, but as oyster harvesting declines it becomes more vauable.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

There are a couple of herbs that you can add to food that can improve shell quality. I add a mix to my food along with mana pro omega maker. I have noticed a better eggs and even more fertility in my eggs.

Where would I be able to find the information regarding which herbs will help? I am so worried about an egg breaking internally. Thankfully she's almost finished molting. I can't feed her layer feed because she's with another duck hen that hasn't resumed laying since her molt and 2 drakes. Plus, those ducks are super picky and turn their bills up at pellets. They prefer the little balls, shaped much like dog kibble, that their Floating Waterfowl Feed comes. The couple of times that I ran out of their food and had trouble finding it, I put my bantam ducks food, Purina Duck Pellets, in the big ducks bowl and they hardly ate for about 3 days. I guess they would have caved and ate more if they didn't get their usual but I finally found it.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

You can get five pounds of really nice flaked oyster shell on ebay for ten bucks with free shipping https://www.ebay.com/itm/151040205220

Five pounds will go a long ways. But, the ebay seller probably only paid $25 to $30 for a fifty pound bag.

I just sprinkle some shell in with the feed. It does not seem to accumulate in the bottom of the feeder so it's going somewhere.

In many states, oyster harvesters are required to replant a certain amount of oyster shell for the baby oysters to attach too. Oyster shell used to be considered a waste product, but as oyster harvesting declines it becomes more vauable.

The seller must have doubled the price or I'm not reading it correctly. Hopefully it's the latter. I hate it but I suppose everything is going up nowadays.

Edited to add : Looks like ONE POUND of organic shells is $12.99

 

[Knighstar679]

Where would I be able to find the information regarding which herbs will help? I am so worried about an egg breaking internally. Thankfully she's almost finished molting. I can't feed her layer feed because she's with another duck hen that hasn't resumed laying since her molt and 2 drakes. Plus, those ducks are super picky and turn their bills up at pellets. They prefer the little balls, shaped much like dog kibble, that their Floating Waterfowl Feed comes. The couple of times that I ran out of their food and had trouble finding it, I put my bantam ducks food, Purina Duck Pellets, in the big ducks bowl and they hardly ate for about 3 days. I guess they would have caved and ate more if they didn't get their usual but I finally found it.

I got my information from a book to start with. Then did more checking online. I will see if I can get a list and send it over. You can also alternatively rotate between a layer feed and all flock style. I do this every two to three bags it has worked out well for me. I also had good luck with black solder flys too.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

New Country Organics Flock Perfect Calcium Poultry Shell, 8 lb Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SVHG28...abc_X3ZHC8TAE70JFMQJ7XCD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Does this look like the correct, helpful oyster shell?

 

[CoriM]

I need to get updated pics, but for now, I'll share what's on my phone.
First is my "Bigs" from L to R: Reggie (Pekin Drake), Tom (Buff Duck), Honey Boo Boo (Pekin) and Stormy (Cayuga Drake)
View attachment 2889151
Lylah, Call Duck -
View attachment 2889157
Della, Greenhead Aussie Spotted Duck-
View attachment 2889158

Faith, Call Duck -
View attachment 2889159
Diva, Nopey, and Blue Belle, Aztec Ducks -
View attachment 2889160
Just a few of my quackers All of the bantam ducks are young. The Bigs are 2 years + 3 months. I need to get current pics of all of the bantams. I hate that I'm missing pics of some of them

Adorable!!!

 

[CoriM]

From the vendor’ email to me:
We did testing on the clam and coral mixes that are out there. Chickens and ducks cannot absorb any calcium from them, they are very hard and just pass through their system.

So are the scratch and peck flaked oyster shells good for the ducks? My ducks don't eat the white ones and only like the gray flakes, which are hard to find right now.