egg shells for the martins

[clivia98]

Hi all,

How do you prepare your eggshells for the martins? I know to put them in the oven to kill bacteria but what about crushing them? Are they crushed to a flake consistency or more powdery and where do you place them? I read that some people actually place the eggshells on the house porches, is that true?

Jerry

[Craig Dyer]

Hi Jerry,

I have never provided egg shells...too much trouble. I'm sure others will comment on the preparation. You might consider crushed oyster shell.
I have always used oyster shell. You can buy small bags of oyster shell at most feed stores. Just pour it out of the bag & be done with it.

[Craig Dyer]

P.S. I have an elevated tray on a pole that I place the oyster shell in. The martins readily accept it, and will also feed it to their young.

[Dale D]

Although there is not a thing wrong with giving them prepared egg shells I do the same as Craig and provide them with the crushed Oyster Shell. Mine do the same as Craig's and accept them right from the feeder tray on my B&B.

[paule]

I store the 1/2 egg shell in plastic jars after pulling them out of the oven. I use a wooden tool used for a tomato colander to smash them to flake consistency. I try to keep them at 1/4 inch or smaller. The martins will decide what size they want. I put them on a raised platform (Bed and Breakfast) and have seen one person throw them on the ground. I won't do that due to cats and other critters that may be around. Jerry, if you put them on the porches I don't see any harm in that either. That being said, I enjoy watching them come to the platform to gather them. It may also be of importance to you if you plan or have to feed them food in the future. Having them acclimated to a platform may be less stressful for you. I also provide pullet size oyster shell but they seem to prefer the egg shells.
Paul

[paule]

Jerry
You said you knew to kill the bacteria but I thought I should mention how I do it. I thoroughly wash the shells under running water with my thumb on their inside. I put the 1/2 shells on cookie sheets in a preheated oven set to 250 degrees for 20 minutes. I then turn the oven off and leave them there with door closed until cool. I then put them in the jars. Hope this helps.
Paul

[clivia98]

Thanks everyone. I'll use both. Great information. What do you use as a platform for the B&B and how high do you place it and where?

[paule]

I used to use a wooden platform 8 foot off the ground and it was stationary. I purchased a B and B from the PMCA and it has 4 removable shelves and goes up and down via a rope. Not sure at the moment how high it is but is much higher than the old wooden one. I have a setup on one side of the garden and a setup on the other side. B&B went in the middle.

[EGunterTX]

How long should you microwave the clean eggshells if you don't have the patience to preheat oven, etc? TIA!

Like Paul, I put out both, but they seem to prefer eggshells.