Canadians! Where do you get your grit and oyster shells?

[Stepnout]

I buy my oyster shells at Shur- Gain FeedsnNeeds. A local farmers Co-op should have oyster shells

 

[True Patriot]

I missed that. Was focused on oyster shell. Sorry.
I only provide grit during the winter as the ground is good here with lots of sandy soil.
You are quite right about sand providing grit.

No apologies necessary. We all just try to help the best we can.

 

[chickens really]

Grit is pebbles, stones..Oyster shell is a needed form of extra calcium. I buy mine at any place that sells Chicken feed.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Do you have a Walmart near you? At least one of our local Walmart stores here in WA state has a small section of farm animal supplies including scratch grains, oyster shells and grit for chickens.

 

[Gritsneggs]

My mom has been using crushed up eggshells for years. She's never needed to supplement oyster shell. I only have one laying so far, so I'm not speaking from my own experience, just what I learned raised on the farm.

 

[chickens really]

My mom has been using crushed up eggshells for years. She's never needed to supplement oyster shell. I only have one laying so far, so I'm not speaking from my own experience, just what I learned raised on the farm.

Egg shell is actually drawn out of the Hens own Calcium in her bones. That said the egg shells are fine to feed back but not enough to support the calcium needs of a layer. Oyster shell should be provided separately..

 

[sheetmetaltom]

amazon sells it if you cant get it locally. i give mine the crushed oyster shell, but i throw oyster and clam shells in the run also. i put them in a bag and step on them over time the just disappear. there not buried because i dig my run out a couple times a year and toss the soil in my gardens. rarely finding any shells.

 

[RumneyRoost]

Thanks everyone. Just to clarify, I know the difference between soluble and insoluble grit and why they are necessary. I'm not new to chickens, just to the area. I was just hoping I was missing an obvious source that was convenient. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. I've called around to all of the feed stores within an hour of me, most of them didn't have anything, two carried them but only in 50# bags. A little excessive for my small flock.

I'll keep picking the smaller rocks and pebbles out for them, and when we re do the driveway later this year I'll see if they can just bring me a bucket of 1/4" minus.

I found a pet store that sells small bags of oyster shells for pet birds, I'll just mix their own shells back in with that.