Tums for Calcium?

[chickens really]

I have been seeing a lot of people recommending calcium citrate to Ducks laying soft shelled eggs and I bite my tongue every time..Too much Calcium is not good either.
Then I see that they feed Spinach which blocks the absorption of calcium too.
Tums in a pinch melted in water can help an egg bound bird..
Sorry I guess I'm venting?...

 

[casportpony]

https://labdoor.com/article/calcium-carbonate-vs-calcium-citrate-which-is-better-for-human-health
The two major forms of calcium are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Calcium supplements are intended to be consumed with a meal, and when taken as directed, the two forms of calcium are absorbed at roughly the same rate. However, when taken on an empty stomach, the body has a much easier time absorbing calcium in its citrate form vs. its carbonate form.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello all!
I was reading a gardening book recently that was talking about how a Tums tablet dissolved in a gallon of water could provide calcium to tomatoes (to prevent them from splitting). Anyway, that got me wondering if you could dissolve Tums in chicken water to meet their calcium needs. I'm guessing probably not (it would introduce a serious risk of too much calcium intake, for one, and free choice for supplements is always the way to go,) but I thought it was an interesting idea. What do y'all think? (knowing that I'm not planning to try it, so don't freak out )

I agree, it's best to make oyster shell available free choice to your girls and they take as needed.

However - I do frequently recommend and suggest offering TUMS, liquid calcium or similar in an emergency situation - egg binding, prolapsed vent or trouble passing a soft shell/deflated egg. TUMS seems to be a "quicker" source of calcium that helps with contractions in the uterus/oviduct, either to help push the egg out or to help in retention of a prolapse. I have used it several times with hens that have had troubles now and again, seemed to help.
Just my thoughts.
fwiw - Tums does not dissolve in water very well at all. It either leaves a powdery film on the water's surface or eventually ends up as a sludge in the bottom. I've tried it - if you need it in an emergency, crush it then add to egg, yogurt, etc.

As for the 'maters - I don't know I just plant them, hoe in some fertilizer and water them occasionally.

 

[chickens really]

I agree, it's best to make oyster shell available free choice to your girls and they take as needed.

However - I do frequently recommend and suggest offering TUMS, liquid calcium or similar in an emergency situation - egg binding, prolapsed vent or trouble passing a soft shell/deflated egg. TUMS seems to be a "quicker" source of calcium that helps with contractions in the uterus/oviduct, either to help push the egg out or to help in retention of a prolapse. I have used it several times with one hen that has troubles now an again, seemed to help her.
Just my thoughts.
fwiw - Tums does not dissolve in water very well at all. It either leaves a powdery film on the water's surface or eventually ends up as a sludge in the bottom. I've tried it - if you need it in an emergency, crush it then add to egg, yogurt, etc.

As for the 'maters - I don't know I just plant them, hoe in some fertilizer and water them occasionally.

Grinder works great and warm water with two tums...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Grinder works great and warm water with two tums...

I don't have a grinder! LOL

Saucer, TUMS, pressure with spoon, crush, sprinkle on eggs - works for me

 

[chickens really]

I'm don't have a grinder! LOL

Saucer, TUMS, pressure with spoon, crush, sprinkle on eggs - works for me

Yes..Hammer and Tums in a sandwich bag....Works great..

 

[casportpony]

Tums does not dissolve in water very well at all. It either leaves a powdery film on the water's surface or eventually ends up as a sludge in the bottom. I've tried it - if you need it in an emergency, crush it then add to egg, yogurt, etc.

You are correct! I just tried and it's completely insoluble! Have pictures if anyone wants to see.

I don't have a grinder! LOL

Saucer, TUMS, pressure with spoon, crush, sprinkle on eggs - works for me

I also tried with a mortar and pestal, it just makes a mess. :idduno

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You are correct! I just tried and it's completely insoluble! Have pictures if anyone wants to see.
I also tried with a mortar and pestal, it just makes a mess. :idduno

It does make a mess! I place it in a saucer, use a wide spoon and then apply pressure to get the TUMS to crack, then separate out the little pieces and crush them up. Also found that the purple color, she wouldn't take, but she liked pink eggs

 

[Amiga]

In my experience, calcium citrate seems to work well with ducks who for some reason do not seem to get enough calcium. I dissolve it in hot water, and mix it into moistened food. If the situation seems more dire, I crush a tablet and sprinkle it on thawed peas. It sticks to the surface of the peas, though some is left in the dish afterward. So I put more Ca citrate on than I expect she will get from the peas. Dosage is based on my recollection of how much calcium supplementation the vet recommended when Sieben had troubles.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I had to Google it. The first thing that came up is using Tums to help with treating an egg-bound hen. I guess it won't kill them.

People do suggest it but it's to support the muscles as indicated by the next quoted post..

However - I do frequently recommend and suggest offering TUMS, liquid calcium or similar in an emergency situation - egg binding, prolapsed vent or trouble passing a soft shell/deflated egg. TUMS seems to be a "quicker" source of calcium that helps with contractions in the uterus/oviduct, either to help push the egg out or to help in retention of a prolapse.

I really hate when gardening or other type article put out such CRAP information!

Maybe extra calcium will kinda help with splitting tomatoes... IDK. But I DO KNOW like stated by another poster... that inconsistent watering DOES cause all of my cracking. I would expect the calcium aspect to be more related to things *like* blossom end rot or other clear signs of deficiency in the soil, that can be discerned by the symptoms thrown by the plant/fruit.

But I love that you are brain storming... sometimes it's nice to have alternatives if you get into a pinch (with chickens).

I would also say that calcium carbonate, aka baking soda... seems salty to me, or is that a misconception? I don't actually go around tasting it... except when it was used in our swimming pool.