I happen to love oysters and have quite a large pile of them built up from various feasts. Has anyone attempted to crush their own shells for a feed supplement for chickens? I hate to purchase crushed shells when I have such a large pile of my own. Thanks!

-- Roscoe Rotten (rkphipps@simflex.com), January 24, 2001

Answers

my uncle,, whos a fusherman in Maryland, useing shells for his driveway,,, and his chickens come and go as they please,, pescking away as needed. I know the vehicles crush em up pretty good.

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), January 24, 2001.

Why not just use the eggs shells? I dry mine in the microwave, then break up into tiny pieces, spread on the ground and when the chickens need them they eat them. Of course, if you want to use up the oyster shells the above post sounds like a good idea.

-- Tina (clia88@newmexico.com), January 29, 2001.

The only thing I would add to the above replies is to boil the shells (outside because of smell) before you crush them.that way you should get all the nasty little bacteria that hang around shellfish.Then just smash'em up with a rock and let the chickens have at em. greg

-- Gregory J Smith (gsmith@tricountyi.net), January 30, 2001.

Where are you, Roscoe? I have the answer to your problems! Send the whole oysters to me, and I will ship back crushed oyster shells! Such a deal! Realistically, I'll ship lobsters in payment. But anyway, you can smash them with a hammer or whatever, or you can do as we Maineiacs do, and just spread the shells (we have access to clam and lobster shells) and wait for the natural decomposition process to gain the upper hand. If you want them to release their nutrients sooner, just crunch 'em anyway that turns you on! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), January 31, 2001.