Start saving cleaning and microwaving egg shells for calcium

Dave Duit · Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:00 pm

I save egg shells year round to help the female martins in their calcium intact to ensure strong eggs. Be sure to clean the egg shells, then microwave for two minutes. I crush the shell after microwaving and save them in a container in the freezer. When the martin arrive in the spring I start offering eggs shells for the females to build up calcium. I have been reading great articles on the importance of providing calcium either through small crushed oyster shells or egg shells. Although the eggs provide a little less actual calcium than that of the pullet sized oyster shells, it is easier for me to continue with the egg shells. If you need a lot of eggs, check with your local resturaunt just after the breakfast times. Most are happy to let you have the egg shells. I have in the past provided the owner a 2 gallon bucket for the egg shells to be disposed. be sure to pick them up routinely, daily is best.

John Miller · Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:10 am

Dave

I do all of above, but baked in an oven on low heat; got on this Forum, wasn't paying attention and over baked. Don't do that...nothing smells worse than eggs shells a little too brown -- but martins still like them okay.

John M

flyin-lowe · Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:14 pm

I spent about $5.00 on a 50 pound bag of crushed oyster shells from a local feed store. At the rate I am going it should last at least 50 more years.
I think I remember reading (either on here or in the update) that the oyster shells are better then eggs shells for some reason, I just don't remember why now. Either way it is better to offer something then nothing at all. I also found several small native "oyster" looking shells in the martin nest's this year even with my offering 5 feet away in the feeding tray.

Dave Duit · Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:22 pm

lol. I made the same mistake over cooking the clean eggs shells in the microwave. I agree, it is a nasty smell. I offer my chrushed eggs shells on an 18"X18" screen feeding tray; so when it rains the water runs straight
through. I also offer scrambled eggs whenever the weather is cold, windy or more than two days rain. It is also good for them right when they first start showing up in the spring from their long travel.

Laverne · Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:57 pm

Hey flyin-lowe. I heard oyster shells were better, too. You know I think I read that right here on the Purple Martin Forum. But, I haven't found any oyster shells for sale at any of the places that I shop. So - - - I save and clean and microwave (and burn) egg shells like a lot of PM landlords. What I have found is that Purple Martins seem to appreciate all the "little" things we do to make their lives better. That's all I need!!

Happy New Year!!

Sincerely,
Laverne

Bob Fraser · Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:15 am

You'll find oyster shells at places that sell chickenfeed etc... Tractor supply is one place I see it..

Gobbler T · Sun Jan 01, 2012 6:29 am

Good tip Bob,
Their building a Tractor Supply here. It could open any day now. I might be their first customer!

rdhd · Sun Jan 01, 2012 11:02 am

Rocky Top · Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:02 pm

Dave Duit wrote:I save egg shells year round to help the female martins in their calcium intact to ensure strong eggs. Be sure to clean the egg shells, then microwave for two minutes. I crush the shell after microwaving and save them in a container in the freezer. When the martin arrive in the spring I start offering eggs shells for the females to build up calcium. I have been reading great articles on the importance of providing calcium either through small crushed oyster shells or egg shells. Although the eggs provide a little less actual calcium than that of the pullet sized oyster shells, it is easier for me to continue with the egg shells. If you need a lot of eggs, check with your local resturaunt just after the breakfast times. Most are happy to let you have the egg shells. I have in the past provided the owner a 2 gallon bucket for the egg shells to be disposed. be sure to pick them up routinely, daily is best.

How do you feed the egg shells to the martins? I thought martins only feed on the fly.

Bob Fraser · Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:17 pm

The female martins seek out sources of calcium to ingest - they do so to ensure that the eggs they produce have strong shells (as far as I know). Birds, in general (including martins) eat calcium and grit - it assists in digestion. You'll probably see them from time to time on the ground pecking at stuff (probably grit) other than looking for nesting material. If you have eggshells or oyster shells out and available, they'll find them and help themselves.

At least.... that's my understanding of the process..

Rocky Top · Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:46 pm

Should I just the calcium in a pan next to there house?

Dale

Dave Duit · Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:27 pm

Hi Dale,
You could put them in a pan on the ground, but they will feel much more secure from predators if you raise the pan or feeding tray up on a pole or tall post. Mine is only 15 feet from my martin houses and about 7 feet off the ground on an 18X18 inch feeding tray. As mentioned before, if you provide them with calcium they will use it. I have heard of some people scattering their crushed eggs shell on top of a near by fairly flat roof on the shingles or even in a driveway. I really do feel that a raise feeding tray is by far the best possible method.

daveh · Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:52 am

Dale, my feeding tray is 6-7 feet off the ground. It's large enough to supply egg shell, oyster shell, meal worms, pine straw, and cedar shavings. It's fairly low to the ground so it's easy to keep full. The martins really like this setup.

dave