Where can I find/order organic oyster shells in bulk?

[Hensinarow]

Hiya!
I have 13 chickens and notice they consume a lot of oyster shells! A 5 lb bag of scratch and peck’s organic oyster shells is too expensive for me to maintain, at $16.99. I’d love to order it in bulk but they don’t do that, anyone have any other organic/bulk ideas?
Thanks so much!

 

[nuthatched]

I dont think there is such a thing. Oysters are filter feeders , they live off of microscopic material floating around in the water.
To be raised organically, they'd have to be in a completely controlled lake, bay or tank with circulation. it would take billions to do that.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I looked up the scratch and peck. OMG they are proud of that product.

Pacific pearl is extremely similar and I pay less than $10 for 50#.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I looked up the scratch and peck. OMG they are proud of that product.

Don't you know, they invented oysters. (And I haven't been able to find flake type oyster shell from any other brand here)

 

[rosemarythyme]

There is no organic certification for oyster shell so any brand will do.

That said I also get the Scratch & Peck because I like the big flakes vs the pelleted form that you see from other brands.

 

[nuthatched]

It has nothing to do with growing your own oyster beds
You may have already answered my question, as I get mine for free.

I never said op had to raise their own oysters. I was explaining why they probably wouldn't find it since it would be cost prohibitive to grow.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have asked my certifier and found that both the following are approved for organic use in chickens:

Manna Pro 50lbs Oyster Shell. It lists oyster shell and calcium carbonate as the ingredients.

Small Pet Select Flaked Oyster Shell. It lists Flaked Oyster and sea shell as the ingredients.

Hope this helps!

Yes I've actually switched to Small Pet Select since my feed store was having issues stocking the other oyster shell that I was using. The Small Pet Select bag I got has good size shards of shell, and very little dust, so I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Don't you know, they invented oysters. (And I haven't been able to find flake type oyster shell from any other brand here)

Check into pacific pearl I think they have a distributors near me thing on their site.
I double checked. They have a phone number and you can send them a message.

https://www.lindmarine.com/services-products/oyster-shell-calcium-for-poultry/

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

Thanks I'll check it out!

I have asked my certifier and found that both the following are approved for organic use in chickens:

Manna Pro 50lbs Oyster Shell. It lists oyster shell and calcium carbonate as the ingredients.

Small Pet Select Flaked Oyster Shell. It lists Flaked Oyster and sea shell as the ingredients.

Hope this helps!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I buy pacific pearl in 50# bags from my feed store. It actually looks like shells that have been crushed.