EGG SHELLS

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
pmlover
Posts: 805
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:30 pm
Location: OH/New Concord

Does anyone know where you can buy eggs shells
I fill up feeders every day with eggs shells and oyster shells and scrambled eggs
im begging borrowing and stealing eggs shells from anyone I can get them from. I wish there was a place besides one place in Canada(on ebay) to buy them
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged

2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
Top
daveh
Posts: 761
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:40 am
Location: Kingsville Mo.

Go to your local restaurants and ask that they save you their shells. I've done that and most restaurants I think will help.

dave
PMCA member
Top
Ed Svetich-WI
Posts: 815
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.

Why not just buy the oyster shells in 50#bags at the feed mill? No need to sterilize to reduce the risk of salmonella and a study done by the PMCA showed that oyster shells were a superior source of calcium than egg ehells. Adult martins fed oyster shells raised more chicks than those supplied egg shell.

Ed
Top
Larry A Kronemeyer
Posts: 500
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 5:27 pm
Location: Illinois/Millstadt

We asked the wonderful kitchen staff at Moms assisted living community if they would save us some eggshells and they were thrilled to help out. Took in a clean utility bucket that has a lid, and this morning they started collecting for us. May take til the end of the week to fill a bucket, but that's okay. We've gone through all the shells we saved throughout the winter and what remains in the tray will have to do for a few more days. But we will have a new supply coming in now.
Larry and Judy Kronemeyer
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA
Top
pmlover
Posts: 805
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:30 pm
Location: OH/New Concord

I do get them oyster shells but I need the egg shells also
I will try some place I thought they could,t give them to the public because of liability purposes.
thanks dick
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged

2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
Top
DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

Dick,
Just make yourself lots of egg salad this summer. :)
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Top
Thais G
Posts: 93
Joined: Mon May 05, 2014 6:37 pm
Location: CT/Darien
Martin Colony History: Started at unsuitable location in 2008. Many lessons learned since. Two tentative locations: Rogers International School and the "Fish Church" (downtown.) One pair in 2015; no fledglings though. No pairs 2016.

Hi,
Chain restaurants sometimes will not do it due to liability, but privately owned smaller places like road diners will. Even the chain ones might if you say it is not for human consumption. Diners are great because they crack a lot of eggs throughout the day :-)
Good luck!
Top
rickchilli
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 10:13 am
Location: MO/Chillicothe
Martin Colony History: I mailed in hard copy showing several years history since restarted martin colony in 2008.

I like to use hard boiled egg shells. much cleaner and easier to use than regular egg shells. haven't put out much anymore but I should get back to putting more out. I used to clean the shells with basic H and then dry them out.
rick
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”