Egg shells are often one of the most overlooked resources on the homestead. They have many uses from composting to plant food to even chicken supplements! Continue reading to learn more about all the ways we use them on our homestead.
Egg Shells as a Calcium Supplement
Egg shells are an excellent source of calcium. Just half of one egg shell can contain enough calcium for an adult human for one day! Some people like to create a calcium supplement for themselves. I like to use them as a calcium supplement for my chickens!
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F.
Spread your cracked shells across a baking sheet or in a baking pan and bake the shells for up to an hour.
When the shells are finished baking and have cooled, transfer them into a food processor and blend until they have reached a fine powder.
Add the egg shell powder to your chicken’s regular feed to add much needed calcium that will support their bone health and will help them to create a healthy, hard shell around their eggs.
Keep in mind that this supplement is for grown, laying hens and should not be given to chickens before they begin laying eggs. Only fresh shells should be consumed.
Use Your Egg Shells in the Garden
Another amazing way to use shells is by grinding them up and adding them straight to your garden. Plants like tomatoes that are susceptible to diseases like blossom end rot will benefit greatly from having egg shells added to the soil.
Egg shells add calcium, nitrogen and other minerals into your soil that can benefit many different types of plants such as; peppers, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, squashes and strawberries.
You can also use egg shells can help your garden is by deterring crawling pests such as slugs and snails. Follow the steps above to create a fine eggshell powder that can be sprinkled on leaves to stop insects from finding their way onto your veggies. Sprinkle the egg shell powder around the base and stem of the plants you want to protect.
Make Egg Shell Water For Indoor Plants
Making egg shell water is great because you can make the water and then go on to use the egg shells in other ways.
To make the egg shell water, add 3 to 4 shells into a mason jar and pour in boiling water. Seal the jar and allow the egg shells to steep for 24 hours before using it to water your plants.
When you are ready to water your plants, strain the shells out and go on to use them in other ways.
The egg shell water will add calcium to your house plants that will help them grow strong leaves and stems.
Egg Shell Planters for Seed Starting
If you find yourself running out of seed cells, you can grow plants and vegetables right inside egg shells!
Fill an egg shell with soil, add in a seed, water and wait. This is a great way to get immediate calcium and nitrogen to your seeds. When you are ready to transplant your seeds, simply crack the shell and add both the plant and the egg shell to the new planter.
My daughter loves to grow microgreens inside eggs for snacking on.
Compost Your Egg Shells
When all is said and done, the easiest way to reuse your eggshells is by tossing them in the compost. Egg shells are full of calcium, nitrogen and other minerals that will lend themselves to a healthy composting system.
If you are new to farm fresh eggs, you will notice that the egg shells can be much thicker and harder to crack than the eggs from the grocery store. Farm fresh eggs are much healthier. Farm chickens are able to eat a healthier, more natural diet and can spend their days outside, absorbing Vitamin D from the sun. This all lends itself to a much healthier egg.
Using fresh eggs and egg shells is the best option when it comes to consumption and using them in your garden.
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