Need help with oyster shells

[CanadaEh]

We have been feeding our hens eggshells we have saved for years from store purchased eggs (and later their own), but eventually have run out and had to buy crushed oyster shells.

However it appears they don't like them very much. They used to gobble baked and hand crushed egg shells like crackers, but with oyster shells in the feeder they just peck them viciously like if they are trying to find a perfect piece of grit rather eating them all. The egg production fell and the shells became somewhat thinner (but not as thin as with no supplementation at all).

Is it normal for them to not like oyster shells as much as egg shells and is there an alternative to oyster shells (like feed lime?) they would like better?

thank you

 

[chickens really]

I use oyster shell and I have used a little scratch mixed in with it for a few days to get them consuming them. I toss a little bit outside too for them to scratch at.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

We have been feeding our hens eggshells we have saved for years from store purchased eggs (and later their own), but eventually have run out and had to buy crushed oyster shells.

However it appears they don't like them very much. They used to gobble baked and hand crushed egg shells like crackers, but with oyster shells in the feeder they just peck them viciously like if they are trying to find a perfect piece of grit rather eating them all. The egg production fell and the shells became somewhat thinner (but not as thin as with no supplementation at all).

Is it normal for them to not like oyster shells as much as egg shells and is there an alternative to oyster shells (like feed lime?) they would like better?

thank you

Mine never eat the oyster shell out of the bowl either. I think they don’t like it. The only way I have gotten them to eat the oyster shell is to throw it on the ground and then they pick and eat it.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I got a new kind of oyster shell and the birds are now eating it again. I have to buy it on Amazon though..

 

[CatWhisperer]

I offer mine oyster shell and baked egg shells. They won’t eat the oyster shell. Dread getting to the point of running out.
Actually I am hand feeding a wry neck silkie indoors, for close to a month now. She got to the point where she wouldn’t eat so I started putting red foods in with her mash-raspberries, papaya, red bell pepper. That did the trick. I am using beet juice now. Maybe if you dye the oyster shell red with beet juice they will eat it. Just a thought.

 

[CanadaEh]

anyone tried baking purchased crashed oyster shells in the oven and did it help? May be it would make them more crunchy just like with egg shells?

 

[cmom]

You may not see them eating the oyster shells but they will. They will not eat it like they will their feed but will pick at it. I put it in my feeders and eventually they get it all and then I put more in. Many people will not approve of this but it works for me. I also put granite grit into the feeders too because I give them seeds and grains as treats and since it's very sandy here and the birds don't have teeth and the grains and seeds gets ground up in their gizzards because they have the the grit. If you live in a place where they can pick up small stones there is no need for grit usually unless it's soft stone.

 

[aart]

You may not see them eating the oyster shells but they will.

Exactly!
Egg shells they will eat more of because they won't last as long as oyster shell in the gizzard.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have a galvanized bucket laying on it side oyster spilling out I refresh the spill when
it reaches back to bucket about 1 time every two weeks no feed just oyster in it

 

[cmom]

Exactly!
Egg shells they will eat more of because they won't last as long as oyster shell in the gizzard.

True. Here we have sand. I give my birds granite grit for their gizzards to grind up the seeds and grains they get for treats and oyster shells for the calcium. I actually put in in the hanging feeders. It does eventually settle into the pan. It eventually disappears. When I notice that there is hardly any left in the pan I add more to their feed. I have been told that I'm doing it wrong, but it works for me. The birds take what they want.