Store bought (chicken) eggshells for calcium supplement?

[Peristeria]

Hello! I'm looking for another option for calcium for my coturnix quail because oyster shells arent an option for me. I got 2 shell-less eggs the other day and was a little concerned. Can my quail eat the store bought egg shells (since I don't have any chickens) and would this be enough calcium supplement? Thanks!

 

[Nabiki]

Sure, they can. They like them better than oyster shell too. If you cook the eggs that you get from those, you can crush those up and feed them back to them too.

 

[Peristeria]

Thanks and are there any other things I can do to help out with their calcium levels? They're on chick starter right now because some will hatch on Monday

 

[Nabiki]

If they're fully adult, you can probably get away with switching to a layer feed that is lower protein and higher calcium. Adults don't need the high protein that chicks do.

 

[Peristeria]

I had them on layer feed but with the new chicks I just got chick starter because there are so few as they are pets. Thanks for the advice bc I need lots of it!

 

[Nabiki]

That's what we're here for. This is where I did a lot of my research before I got my first quail eggs.

 

[Peristeria]

Yeah I didnt even have to ask questions for about 6 months bc theres so much stuff on this website! Then, in May I almost asked a question then there was a thread about it! Crazy!

 

[Chip76]

My quail's favorite for calcium is cuttlebone.