But there are so many other practical uses for eggshells. Here are my top ten ways to use eggshells around your coop, garden and home.
Supplemental Calcium Source for your Chickens
This is what normally ends up happening with our eggshells. Instead of buying commercial oyster shell, try putting out some crushed eggshell for your chickens' calcium requirements.
Always feed them free-choice to each hen can nibble on as much or as little as she needs. Non-laying pullets and roosters won't eat any.
EGGSHELLS IN THE GARDEN
Vegetable Seed Starter Cups
Eggshell halves make nice cups to start seeds in. You can just plant the whole thing in the ground when you're ready to put them in the ground outside. Calcium-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and melons really appreciate the extra calcium.
Slug Control
Speaking of eggshells in the garden, why not sprinkle a ring of crushed eggshell around your plants to prevent slugs from munching on them. The sharp edges keep the slugs out and as an added bonus, the shells will provide that added calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
Better Compost
Eggshells also make a wonderful addition to your compost pile, along with coffee grounds, grass clippings, kitchen scraps and garden trimmings.
They break down nicely and will add much-needed calcium carbonate to your potting soil or garden come spring.
Flower pots
Arrange small flowers, succulents or freshly cut herbs in eggshells filled with water and put them in an egg carton for a quick and easy windowsill garden.
EGGSHELLS IN THE HOME
Beeswax Candle Holders
Eggshells make pretty candles. Its as simple as rinsing out the shells, melting some beeswax and adding a wick and you've got a simple candle to light up those cold winter nights.
Blown Out Egg Ornaments
Eggshells are easy to blow out and the empty shells make beautiful holiday ornaments. A bowl of blown eggs also looks pretty on your kitchen counter for Christmas or Easter.
Calcium Supplement for YOU!
Eggshells can easily be turned into an economical calcium supplement for you. It's important to get enough calcium for strong teeth and bones throughout life.
Here's how to make calcium powder to use as a dietary supplement.
Rinse out the eggshells and arrange them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes, then pulverize them into a powder using a coffee grinder. Add 1/2 teaspoon per day to orange juice or any liquid of your choice for a healthy, easily absorbed calcium supplement.
Here's how to make calcium powder to use as a dietary supplement.
Rinse out the eggshells and arrange them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes, then pulverize them into a powder using a coffee grinder. Add 1/2 teaspoon per day to orange juice or any liquid of your choice for a healthy, easily absorbed calcium supplement.
Instant Egg Band-aid
Cut yourself while preparing dinner? No need to rummage for a band-aid. Just crack open an egg, peel off some of the membrane and wrap it around your cut. Not only will it harden and stop the blood flow, it will keep out bacteria while letting in air to allow the wound to heal and studies have shown the egg membrane actually speeds wound healing.
Egg Hair Treatment
Eggs contain lots of vitamins and nutrients. The protein and biotin in them is especially good for your hair and will help with strength, shine and elasticity.How to:
Whisk two or three eggs, depending on how long your hair is. Work the egg mixture into your dry hair starting at the scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. Shampoo and rinse. Repeat treatment weekly or as desired. Discard any extra egg mixture.
For these and more tips, be sure to pick up a copy of my new book! On bookstore shelves soon!
I did not know about the bandaid use. Interesting. I have not given the eggs shells to my girls yet as I worry about them becoming egg eaters. Have you had any problems with this by feeding them the shells?
ReplyDeleteNo feeding them crushed egg shells won't lead to egg eating as long as you crush them up small, not into dust but smaller than 1/4" pieces or so.
DeleteIn fact, it's thought that feeding the eggshells actually reduces the chance of them eating their own eggs because sometimes its a calcium deficiency that makes them want to peck at their eggs.
Great ideas. The use of the membrane for the bandaid is quite amazing!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I did not know the bandaid part, either.
ReplyDeleteWeird thing you didn't know about me? At Easter, when other people ate the boiled eggs, I would salt the shells and nibble on them....
I didn't know about the membrane either, but really good to know.
ReplyDeleteThe other day, I crushed up an egg shell and gave it to our chicks, after reading about doing that, here on your blog. They gobbled it up!
how do you crush your egg shells?, and how small do they need to be for the chickens to eat w/o hurting them ???
ReplyDeleteOnce the shells are dry you can just crush them with your fingers. I just sort of crush them against the side of the bowl I collect them in. You want them about 1/8-1/4" or so. Any larger might encourage them to try eating their own eggs and any smaller, you don't want dust, the calcium won't get absorbed by their bodies as well.
DeleteBTW Kim, you were one of the winners in the Chicken Encyclopedia book contest. Email me your mailing address to: fresheggsdaily@gmail.com
DeleteJust want to say "THANK YOU!" for all you do at FRESH EGGS DAILY! I love your site and have learned so much from you! YOU are a blessing to me AND my girls! <3
Delete:) This is a nice post, saw the tote give away so fingers are totally crossed!
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that you shouldn't give "store-bought" eggshells to your chickens, only the shells from eggs they laid themselves. In your opinion, is this true? As a first-time hen momma of 8 week old pullets & guineas, I've been saving these shells for my flock when they became of laying age, but have since crushed them for use in my garden.
ReplyDeleteThat is correct. You just risk introducing bacteria to them they aren't used to. I would use the store bought in the garden for sure.
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