We all know that the grit that they're selling now days called Oystershell is really garbage compared to what they used to have in the past. I am wondering if you think there's any merit in this idea? If we were to take fresh muscle shells for example and heat them to destroy all the bacteria, and crush them up would they be a decent grit?
Or, how about going to an oyster bar where they sell fresh oysters and do the same thing with those shells that they throw away ?Just wondering what you think about that idea ?
Ed.
What about this?
-
MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
You will be surprised at how hard the mollusk shells are. I asked a coastal person one time why they just don't throw the empty oyster shells in the driveway and drive over them- and was promptly told they are so hard they cut the tires of their vehicles! Perhaps a better idea for you is to spend an afternoon with a hammer and your chicken/farm store oyster shell and bash away until you are satisfied with the size of your fragments. Then relax with a cool drink in the shade. PS I know a master landlord in KS who does this, so it's not my idea... 
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
-
~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
It's not easy to break up oyster shell even with a big sledge hammer, the pieces fly all over the place and are sharp. could maybe smash them in inside an enclosed form of some type?
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
Mama, I like your last idea better about the cool drink in the shade that sounds like something I think I'm going to do this afternoon. However I must say that I have also smashed up your tractor supply grit you almost have to get some of those big pieces down to size that way, I am also realizing that they are 99% coral and maybe 1% Oystershell have a good season mama .
I think I'm going to ask my wife to go down to the market and buy some oysters the only thing is what am I going to do with the insides!!
Hi Ray, yeah you're right they are hard a person would probably have to use some protective equipment like gloves safety glasses maybe even a helmet ha ha. Maybe I could put myself into a small box with the plastic throw on the floor and ,, wait a minute maybe that's going to little bit too far .Have a good season Ray .Ed
I think I'm going to ask my wife to go down to the market and buy some oysters the only thing is what am I going to do with the insides!!
Hi Ray, yeah you're right they are hard a person would probably have to use some protective equipment like gloves safety glasses maybe even a helmet ha ha. Maybe I could put myself into a small box with the plastic throw on the floor and ,, wait a minute maybe that's going to little bit too far .Have a good season Ray .Ed