Quail sized Calcium supplement?

[Urbanhomestead_ut]

I need to start giving my new layers supplements of calcium but crushing oyster shells takes FOREVER. Is there a better/easier way? I'll have boys in the cages too, so I can't use a "layer" feed.
Suggestions?

 

[Nabiki]

Crushed egg shell is really good. If you don't think you have enough egg shell to give them, check out any place near you that serves breakfast. They'll probably be willing to give you their eggshells if you ask.

 

[NatJ]

Maybe crushed eggshells? They are easier to crush than oyster shells, so easier to break them small enough.

Can you buy crushed oyster shell? There are probably some smaller pieces in the bag as well as larger ones--you might be able to sift out just the small pieces, or spread some out and let the quail pick out the right size pieces for themselves.

(I can't tell whether you are starting with whole oyster shells and crushing them, or starting with a bag of crushed oyster shell and trying to crush it smaller for the quail.)

 

[Urbanhomestead_ut]

Maybe crushed eggshells? They are easier to crush than oyster shells, so easier to break them small enough.

Can you buy crushed oyster shell? There are probably some smaller pieces in the bag as well as larger ones--you might be able to sift out just the small pieces, or spread some out and let the quail pick out the right size pieces for themselves.

(I can't tell whether you are starting with whole oyster shells and crushing them, or starting with a bag of crushed oyster shell and trying to crush it smaller for the quail.)

I have been giving crushed egg shells.... we just don't have enough yet. I bought crushed oyster shells but they are still rather large. I was hoping for something even smaller sized.

I will try to stick with eggs mostly once I'm getting enough.

 

[NatJ]

I bought crushed oyster shells but they are still rather large. I was hoping for something even smaller sized.

Birds (including quail) can often swallow things that are quite large.

If you haven't tried this yet, I suggest you just offer the oyster shell you have, at its original size, and see if they swallow it.
They are the best judges of what size is right.

If you already tried and they won't or can't eat the oyster shell, check the bottom of the bag--smaller pieces often settle to the bottom, and might be a better size for the quail.

 

[Nabiki]

Birds (including quail) can often swallow things that are quite large.

If you haven't tried this yet, I suggest you just offer the oyster shell you have, at its original size, and see if they swallow it.
They are the best judges of what size is right.

If you already tried and they won't or can't eat the oyster shell, check the bottom of the bag--smaller pieces often settle to the bottom, and might be a better size for the quail.

You have to be careful, though. If they eat too many large pieces and they don't dissolve quickly enough, they can cause crop problems.

The feed store I shop at sells both regular oyster shell and powdered oyster shell. Maybe you can find powdered?

 

[shrimpsilkies]

Manna Pro has an “oyster shell” product that is actually mainly limestone or coral rock chunks with very little oyster that is “pullet sized” which is actually at least half dust and smaller particles which is easy for quail to eat. The bigger pieces can be broken up but it’s less annoying than real oyster shell. If you also have chickens then the big pieces can go to them.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Manna Pro has an “oyster shell” product that is actually mainly limestone or coral rock chunks with very little oyster that is “pullet sized” which is actually at least half dust and smaller particles which is easy for quail to eat. The bigger pieces can be broken up but it’s less annoying than real oyster shell. If you also have chickens then the big pieces can go to them.

My quail gals have been voracious eaters of eggshells and the shell quality of their eggs declines quickly and noticeably when it runs out. I'm working with a 50 lb bag of this ^ "pullet sized" product now. I'm using a kitchen strainer to separate the dust and "quail sized" bits from the larger pebbles, but I'm not getting enough. (My chickens and ducks are much less enthusiastic.) I'm thinking of putting some larger bits into a sack and running over it with my car, unless anyone has a better idea?

 

[Nabiki]

My quail gals have been voracious eaters of eggshells and the shell quality of their eggs declines quickly and noticeably when it runs out. I'm working with a 50 lb bag of this ^ "pullet sized" product now. I'm using a kitchen strainer to separate the dust and "quail sized" bits from the larger pebbles, but I'm not getting enough. (My chickens and ducks are much less enthusiastic.) I'm thinking of putting some larger bits into a sack and running over it with my car, unless anyone has a better idea?

I use a stainless steel mortar and pestle. I imagine a plastic bag and a hammer would work better than your car.

 

[FloorCandy]

Manna Pro has an “oyster shell” product that is actually mainly limestone or coral rock chunks with very little oyster that is “pullet sized” which is actually at least half dust and smaller particles which is easy for quail to eat. The bigger pieces can be broken up but it’s less annoying than real oyster shell. If you also have chickens then the big pieces can go to them.

I use this and I don’t break it up, they throw the ones that are too big on the ground as they sort thru it for what they want.