theherd123 Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 Having just baked about 50+ egg shells and ground them up in the blender to go into the girls food i was wondering why do i need to bake them? I have always baked them and never questioned why but wonder if you could let me know? Would it do any harm if i just ground them up without baking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I have never really thought about it either Em, just followed the advice on here I guess its to kill off any bacteria that may be on the shell?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I think it may be to change the taste so that the hens don't start eating their own eggs, and it is far easier to grind up baked egg shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I think it may be to change the taste so that the hens don't start eating their own eggs, and it is far easier to grind up baked egg shells. That's what I understood to be the case too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 .............and me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 Nicola's right, but..... after the first fortnight I gave up with baking them. For over 2 years I've just scrunched them by hand into tiny bits, takes 1 second! I suppose I would stop if I had an egg breaking hen, but I don't think they associate the crushed pieces with their whole laid eggs. I'm not lazy, I just like short cuts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braden01 Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 ..but how do I bake the egg shells? Oven? How long for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I always thought that baking shells was to sterilise them. I just stick them in a small baking dish on the side of the cooker and when I'm cooking something in the oven stick the shells in with whatever. When they're cold I just smash them up and put them in a bag ready for the next food top up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I just stick them in a small baking dish on the side of the cooker and when I'm cooking something in the oven stick the shells in with whatever. That's exactly what I do! And Sheila, although I always bake mine, I also just scrunch them up by hand. I'm glad I'm not the only one! I always thought I must be a bad chicken mummy, but the girls eat them so it can't be too bad. And Emma 50+ shells!!! That's a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...