Don't Throw Out Those Eggshells!

Feeding Eggshells Back To Your Chickens

Many people do not know this, but throwing away eggshells is a terrible habit we need to break. Natural eggshells, not store bought (if you have chickens you aren't likely buying eggs anyway) are wonderful and have so many purposes! Many people like to supplement calcium for their chickens by purchasing oyster shell for them. If that's you, you can remove them from your shopping list.

I have read to bake them at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes and then crush. I have also heard to boil them, let them dry, and then crush. That if you do not, you risk salmonella poisoning. I'm not sure honestly how this is an issue as these eggshells are being feed back to your flock. Though I do know there are many other things that you can do with your left over eggshells where that may be more of an issue. Just as washing and not washing eggs before storing, or even use is quite the debate and preference really.

Personally, I let them dry out on the window sill in the sun, or even let them sit outside on the table on a nice day. Once they are dry - I break them down with the bottom end of a jar till they are small edible pieces and place them in matchbox holders I repurposed. Sometimes I even scatter them in the run for my flock. Some people use small bowls to hold grit and oyster shell to have available for their flocks because chickens know when they are lacking these nutrients to eat them. If you try to add them to the feed they usually pick them out and becomes wasteful.

Other Uses for Eggshells

I will not go into great detail on these, but here is a list of other ways to use eggshells you may not know about.

• Garbage Disposal Cleaner - Put a good 6-10 broken eggshells (or more) down the drain (throw in a handful of ice cubes as well) and turn on the disposal while running cold water. Not only does it clean, but assists in sharpening the blades as well.

• Blade Sharpener - Not to seem redundant, but throwing those eggshells in your blender and food processor as well sharpens the blades and makes a quick job of it!

• Potting Soil Additive - You can break down it to crushed pieces, or even blend into a fine powder and add it to your indoor or even out door plants for a boost in calcium. This is also great for your tomato plants that suffer from blossom-end rot as that is caused by a calcium deficiency.

• Pot Scrubber - As you might assume, they break down quite quickly in the process, but they definitely get the job done.

• Pet Remedy - With crushed eggshells on hand, grind them into a fine powder then mix a tbsp into your dogs food to help remedy diarrhea.

• Seedling Starter - Many people you the bottom have of the egg to add soil and start seedlings in. It works well and helps feed the plant. Though an eggshell that size would take a year to break down you are more than able to plant the seedling with eggshell in tow.

• Pest Deterrent - Grind down into a powder, even leaving tiny shell fragments and add around your plants. It will help deter slugs, snails, and cutworms. 

• Calcium Supplement - I have heard of many people that steam, bake, or boil to sanitize their eggs shells, letting them dry first if boiled of course. After they grind them down to powder and spoon them into 00-size capsules for homemade calcium pills!

• Clarify Coffee - I have heard of this, but have never tried it. For centuries this has been done to help clarify grounds and reduce bitterness.

How do you use your eggshells? Please leave a comment and share ways you use eggshells from your chickens. 

Eggshell Nutrients and What They Do For Us

As I mentioned briefly, there are people that actually prepare and eat eggshells, finding different ways to add them to their diet. There is always talk about how rich in nutrients eggs are. How good for you the yolk is, what benefits the egg white has. Not many, if any mention what minerals the eggshell itself is packed with.

Though we know they are rich in calcium, we really know little else about them. In addition to calcium, eggshells are also rich in protein. Eggshells also contain small amounts of other minerals, including magnesium, selenium, strontium, and fluoride. These minerals all play a role in bone health.

Magnesium - A player in many crucial roles in the body. It supports muscle and nerve function and energy production. Low magnesium levels usually don't cause symptoms. Though, chronically low levels can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Selenium - Though not familiar to many people. Selenium is an incredible nutrient vital to your health. Your body only needs small amounts but plays such an important role in your bodies function, including thyroid and metabolic function.

Strontium - Is a small trace mineral that behaves much like calcium. Large portions of strontium will accumulate in the bone. In adults, it mostly attaches to the surface of bones. In children, whose bones are still growing, it may be used by the body to create the hard bone mineral itself. There is debate as to whether or not it is good for bone health, but in either case, the amount in eggshells is quite small.

Fluoride - Is usually thought off in relation to preventing dental caries, along with building strong teeth and bones. The majority of fluoride is absorbed in the gut and then stored in bones and teeth. Unabsorbed fluoride is excreted through the urine.

Farm Fresh Eggs, Not Store Bought

Remember, this article is regarding farm fresh, home grown, coop to table eggs. Store bought eggs, are washed, sterilized and placed in a refrigerator. By the time they reach you they are around 2 months old and have lost many of the nutrients they had, which still doesn't compare to the nutrient rich eggs straight from the farm, or even your own backyard. Inside and out, farm fresh - backyard flock eggs are almost always the better choice.