egg shells

Gobbler T · Mon May 28, 2012 6:03 am

I was just wondering if the male martins eat egg shells or just the females.

MingjoMartins · Mon May 28, 2012 8:58 am

Gobbler -

At least at my colony - it's neither!

For some reason, they won't touch the egg shells or the chick grit that I have on a homemade platform feeder, instead they prefer to go to my neighbors barn and scrape off the grit from the cheap shingle roof that he put on the barn!

Luckily for me - they do it only on my side of the property line and he doesn't have a clue!

Ed Svetich-WI · Mon May 28, 2012 9:08 am

Both male and female will eat egg shells as well as the superior form of calcium found in oyster shells. The female will significantly increase her intake of calcium in preparation for egg laying. Both also use the calcium source as grit for aiding in grinding up the insects in their gizzard.

Ed

Gobbler T · Mon May 28, 2012 9:36 am

Is this more of an egg laying time kinda thing, or do they eat them anytime?

Seller · Mon May 28, 2012 12:48 pm

Thank you for asking the question T. I've been curious about shells, I've been reading some of the posts and forums regarding egg shells.

Thanks for the replys also.

Ed Svetich-WI · Mon May 28, 2012 1:42 pm

They have been feeding at the platform since they arrived in mid April. I feed calcium year round and it is utilized all year by all birds. I was concerned early this spring when I had a Coopers hawk consuming calcium from the tray for several days. Fortunately, it moved on. When their body tells them that they are lacking something, they search it out regardless of the season. As I said in the earlier post, the hard particles are also a good form of grit.

dhjohnson · Mon May 28, 2012 2:06 pm

Happy Memorial Day to All,
I offer my martins crushed oyster shells. It takes some effort to beat it up small, but they all seem to enjoy it. They also feed it to their hatchlings. If you don't want to scatter it on the ground, a shallow tub and a few quick ties will secure it to a rack cross member. Quick and simple. I too see lots of other birds taking advantage of the easy source.

To all veterans, Thank You! To those still deployed, be safe!
Debbie

Gobbler T · Mon May 28, 2012 2:15 pm

Thanks Mingjo & Ed
For the info. A man that works with my wife keeps asking her if I've got martins yet. He keeps telling her to tell me that I need the egg shells desperately. He said thats what got his colony started. I myself find that hard to believe, but offering egg shells or oyster shells is the only thing that I haven't tried! Sat, we went for breakfast to a local dinner that serves a breakfast buffet. I ask the owner if she would save me their egg shells one morning and she agreed. I ended up with about 7 gallons of shells = to 1 gallon of clean/crushed shells. I guess I'll be giving that a try.

One more question, do they have to be on a separate pole or can I put them on my gourd rack?

Ed Svetich-WI · Mon May 28, 2012 4:12 pm

I made a 12 x 12 inch platform with 1 inch sides. I used plywood for the bottom and cut several 1 inch round holes in the plywood bottom for drainage. I covered the plywood with fiberglass window screening to hold the oyster shell. The plywood bottom helps to prevent the wind from emptying the feeder. I attached it to a 1/2 inch pipe with a pipe flange and pushed it into the ground. It is about 15 feet from my poles and they are at it constantly.

Good luck.

Ed

Robbo · Mon May 28, 2012 7:40 pm

Hi Gobbler,
I provide crushed Oyster shells and egg shells in a raised feeder. I put in the scrambled eggs and crickets for cold weather situations. The Martin's and everyone else love both.
Rob.

Tony · Mon May 28, 2012 9:49 pm

I bought the Manna Pro pullet sized oyster shells in a five pound bag. The chunks seem pretty large even though they are supposed to be pullet size. Do any of you that use oyster shells crush them any finer than they come in the bag ? If so how do you crush them?

Tim Stover · Mon May 28, 2012 9:55 pm

gobbler i have two trays mounted on my gourd racks if this helps they use them a lot

AvianStewardess · Mon May 28, 2012 11:19 pm

A previous home-owner at my place used oyster shell "fill" to "berm up" the shoreline (not allowed don't do that kind of thing anymore...thankfully). The martins LOVE this area, both sexes, right now. The ones still building nests much prefer a muddy spot along the creek. For grit, it seems a sandy area is preferred...but the driveway chip is a close second.

Gobbler T · Tue May 29, 2012 6:52 am

Thank you all for the replies.
I attached it to my gourd rack, but no bird of any kind has touched it. Maybe it takes a while for them to realize what it is. The shell prep was a lot easier than I thought it would be. This was my main reason for not doing it earlier, but once you know what you're doing

there's nothing to it.

Here's a thought, please tell how you prep your egg shells so others may learn the quickest easiest way.

For myself, I put the shells in a pillow case, put them in a top load washing machine, added about a quart of white vinegar. Wash and then in the dryer. When they come out, they're already crushed. Let them cool and transfer to a zip lock bag.

Leandortree · Tue May 29, 2012 9:22 am

There is no need to wash egg shells for Birds to eat !

This is from The Greman Roller Canary club .

Pre heat your oven to 200 degrees F.
Place egg shells in oven for 30 minutes, turn off , let stand in oven till cool
crush egg shells in your hands . Store in a clean container in a cool dry place .Feed to the Birds a little at a time.
There is no need to wash egg shells for Birds to eat ,but you MUST heat them to kill any Salmonella Bacteria
Birds don't wash food .