I purchase crushed oyster shells and give it to my chickens for calcium. I could go down to the beach and gather as many salt water clam and mussel shells as I want for free. Is this a viable option? Would I need to process them in anyway beyond smashing them into small pieces? Are there any risks I've failed to consider?
#asknostr
#chickens
My only concern would be how sharp the pieces are. Maybe find out how the commercial oyster shell grit is made.
I've had a few clients get paid to take oyster and scallop shells by the tonne, from seafood processors.
The costs are electricity for hammer milling, and bureaucracy. The bureaucracy is insanely expensive.
If you have the space to store it, find out who takes away the shells from seafood plants in your state, and see if you can pay them for a truck load delivered.
That's a nice thought, but the only local mariculture is a co-op of mom & pop oyster farmers. They sell it all in-shell to avoid processing costs. I have no need for that kind of scale anyway. I'm just trying to raise my flock of 13 a little more sustainably.
