Supplementing with lime?

[Capt. Toddy]

My chickens get a ready supply of shell grit in the pen but as far as I can tell they eat very little of it. As a consequence their egg shells were very thin and broken eggs were a regular occurrence. To boost their calcium intake I began powdering shell grit with a sledgehammer and mixing it in with some porridge daily. Almost overnight the shells thickened up!

Powdering the shell grit is harder than you'd think and I am after an easy fix. I think I've found it but wanted some opinions. I noticed that garden lime is calcium carbonate- which is what shell grit is made of. Can I supplement my birds diet with a teaspoon of lime in their daily porridge?

BTW, the daily porridge is a tip I got from a friend who told me that some warm porridge will keep them laying through winter. It's working too! Since I started this egg production has gone up despite days getting shorter and some very frosty nights down to -4C.

Rod

 

[Tiramisu]

I don't think lime is good for them to eat. :\\

"Hydrated lime, slake lime, or "burn lime"- This is pure white. Hydrated lime is very caustic, so the bag will have a warning on it. This is the kind of lime you use for white wash . This lime will burn you and your livestock. Do not use it on the floor. Do not breath it.

Agricultural lime, "ag lime", "garden lime", "barn lime" or dolomite- This lime is gray and can be used to spread on the floor of your barn. This is safe for you and your livestock. It will not burn."

I found a thread "Yep, garden lime is nothing more than ground limestone (calcium carbonate) and is ok for the flock.

It isn't as good as oyster shells or saved egg shells."

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

"Shell grit" is a misnomer

It's either shell or grit, but it cant be both since grit is granite

Just feed them Oyster shell and they will get all the calcium they need.
If you WANT to feed them limestone, you should by "Feed Grade" and not the garden type

http://www.mississippilime.com/products/limestone/feedgradelimestone

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:

 

[Cindy in PA]

Don't know where you are located,since you said it's cold, but around here you can get Aragonite which is used as calcium in feed. I believe it is a powder. A 50 lb bag here is $14. Supposed to be a really good calcium supplement. Hope this helps.

 

[Capt. Toddy]

I'm in Australia, and it's the middle of winter here at the moment, hence the reason why things are cool. The hens are not eating shell or oyster shells, that's why I'm looking for an alternative.

An internet search reveals that some chicken feeds use up to 7% hydrated lime, which is quite a surprise given how caustic it is.


Rod

 

[Mahonri]

interesting....

 

[Capt. Toddy]

Update: I've been feeding them a teaspoon of garden lime with breakfast and I've not noticed anything different with the birds. Time will tell I guess...

 

[Chick and duck mom]

My chickens get a ready supply of shell grit in the pen but as far as I can tell they eat very little of it. As a consequence their egg shells were very thin and broken eggs were a regular occurrence. To boost their calcium intake I began powdering shell grit with a sledgehammer and mixing it in with some porridge daily. Almost overnight the shells thickened up!

Powdering the shell grit is harder than you'd think and I am after an easy fix. I think I've found it but wanted some opinions. I noticed that garden lime is calcium carbonate- which is what shell grit is made of. Can I supplement my birds diet with a teaspoon of lime in their daily porridge?

BTW, the daily porridge is a tip I got from a friend who told me that some warm porridge will keep them laying through winter. It's working too! Since I started this egg production has gone up despite days getting shorter and some very frosty nights down to -4C.

Rod

I save their egg shells and dry them in the garage in a mesh potato bag. Some people put them in the oven to dry. When they're dry, I put them in the blender and crush them. The chickens love them. I just put them on the ground for them to peck at. I just put them in a pile.

 

[Hennypenny1984]

My chickens get a ready supply of shell grit in the pen but as far as I can tell they eat very little of it. As a consequence their egg shells were very thin and broken eggs were a regular occurrence. To boost their calcium intake I began powdering shell grit with a sledgehammer and mixing it in with some porridge daily. Almost overnight the shells thickened up!

Powdering the shell grit is harder than you'd think and I am after an easy fix. I think I've found it but wanted some opinions. I noticed that garden lime is calcium carbonate- which is what shell grit is made of. Can I supplement my birds diet with a teaspoon of lime in their daily porridge?

BTW, the daily porridge is a tip I got from a friend who told me that some warm porridge will keep them laying through winter. It's working too! Since I started this egg production has gone up despite days getting shorter and some very frosty nights down to -4C.

Rod

Coffee bean grinder, it's very quick. You can also buy a rather large amount of calcium carbonate pretty cheaply. I use nutrients 650mg I bought from iherb, but it's available about anywhere vitamins are sold.