Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know if chicken egg shells are a decent source of calcium? I know this might sound odd. I had boiled some eggs, and was peeling them. I just thought the shells are very similar in composition to cuttlebone. I decided to try it out. I broke a small piece and hand fed it. Our little girl took it, chewed, breaking it into small pieces. I didn't try anymore. I wanted to see if anyone had heard of doing this. Any pros, cons? Anyone read anything about this? I don't think I would try it with egg shells from raw eggs, but these were boiled. Any comments or stories or facts would be great. Egg shells would be cheaper than cuttlebone, not that I am penny pinching, but why throw them away?

Matt

the egg whites are a decent source of protein (ditch the yolk)and i use them for many species of turtles. i allow the egg shell to be added in in small bits (only if it was also boiled; don't save shells from raw eggs) for added calcium (its a decent but not great source) but i do this only for large adult turtles.
there is a small danger of scratching gastrointestinal organs with shells this danger is magnified for smaller individuals.
i do see many shells bit in the feces of some speices and none in that of others. i have some turtles that get eggs with some shell as often as every week.