Oyster Shell / Calcium Supplements Making Your Own...

[ironrdr]

So, I live in an area where I have access to shells of oysters, clams, mussles etc. I know oyster shells are an ok supplement, but are clam shells, mussel shells, scallop shells and the like good too?

What would I have to do, besides pulverizing them, to make them chicken safe?

Just looking for the most direct, organic way, besides eggshells, to supplement my chickens with calcium.

 

[centrarchid]

If the birds are free-range, consider spreading or even tilling the shells into the soil. Plants will absorb calcium and birds will consume plants. Some plants better at picking up calcium than others.

 

[JNB]

We eat A LOT of shellfish.. all kinds. I often toss the shells into my chickens runs... They pick at them, push them around, After awhile I rake the run and pick up any remnant These I toss into the compost pile and or directly into the garden area to later be tilled in. My chickens get full run of our garden area whenever its not growing season.

As for the Oyster Shell Those I keep until I have a few lbs and then we crush them down to oatmeal consistency and feed to the hens directly.

FYI Spinach is very high in Calcium and protein. Its relatively easy to grow.Can be done in a pot if you don't have the ground space. In my area its pretty inexpensive to buy at the wholesale stores. It freezes well also and retains nutrients when frozen

I feed Spinach, Yogurt, and Cottage Cheese to my hens a couple times a week.

 

[Percheron chick]

All seafood shells and egg shells have about the same composition. They are all about 95% calcium carbonate. Whatever shells you feed will provide all the supplemental Ca they could need but it must be crush into small enough particles for them to absorb it.

 

[ironrdr]

Do I need to wash them or prepare them in any way, besides crushing? Will the salt water residue do any harm to the chickens?

 

[Percheron chick]

Didn't you boil them in water to cook the shellfish? They are plenty clean as well as the salt removed. Smash away. Chickens do need a small amount of salt in the diet so if you are doing raw oysters, they are still getting such a small amount I wouldn't worry about it.