I normally crush up all our eggshells and feed them free-choice to our chickens as an economical way to provide them the extra calcium they need to lay eggs with nice hard shells. But there are other practical uses for eggshells.
1. Supplemental calcium source for your chickens
This is what normally ends up happening with our eggshells. Instead of buying commercial oyster shell, try feeding crushed eggshell for your chickens’ calcium requirements. You can read HERE more about how to do it.
2. Vegetable or flower seed starter cups
Eggshell halves make nice cups to start seeds in. You can just plant the whole thing in the ground when you’re ready to put them in the ground outside. Read HERE to learn how to do it.
3. Christmas or holiday ornaments
Eggshells are easy to blow out. The empty shells make beautiful holiday ornaments. A bowl of blown eggs also looks pretty on your kitchen counter. Read more HEREfor decorating ideas and how-tos.
4. Slug Control
Sprinkle a ring of crushed eggshell around your hostas and other plants to prevent slugs from munching on them. The sharp edges keep the slugs out.
5. Instant Band-aid
Cut yourself while preparing dinner? No need to rummage for a band-aid. Just crack open an egg, peel off some membrane and wrap it around your cut. Not only will it harden and stop the blood flow, it will keep out bacteria while letting in air to allow the wound to heal.
6. Prevent Blossom End Rot
Sprinkle crushed eggshell around your vegetables to provide them calcium carbonate. This is especially beneficial for crops like tomatoes and cucumbers that are susceptible to blossom end rot.
7. Calcium Supplement
Rinse out eggshells (leaving the membrane) and arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes, then crush into a powder using a coffee grinder. Add 1/2 teaspoon per day to orange juice or any liquid of your choice for a healthy, easily absorbed calcium supplement in your diet.
Or….rinse and crush eggshells and fill a glass jar halfway. Cover with vinegar and let sit for two weeks. Strain and then take 2 Tablespoons per day. You can use it as a salad dressing or add it to other dishes to make it more palatable.
8. Compost
Add your eggshells to your compost pile. They break down nicely and will add much-needed calcium carbonate to your potting soil or garden come spring.
9. Hair Strengthener
Okay this isn’t the shells, but it’s a good use of the yolk. Egg yolks are loaded with proteins, vitamins and fatty acids, all of which will make your hair softer, shinier and more healthy. Whisk two egg yolks with two tablespoons of olive oil and a cup of water, then pour over your hair and massage into your scalp. Leave on for 15-20 minutes then rinse.
10. Mini flower pots
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| ~photo source: pinterest.com/pin/63261569736702447/~
Small cacti, succulents or flowers look adorable planted in half egg shells and then arranged in a cardboard carton. Use as hostess gifts, Mother’s Day gifts, teacher gifts…. What do you do with your egg shells? JOIN US ON FACEBOOK |
