homemade calcium supplement?

[PhoenixFeather]

Hi I have a 4 month male veiled cham, and I can't find plain calcium without D3 or phosphorus for him in ANY pet stores Ive been to (at least 7 so far.) So I was thinking back to my research on leopard geckos and remembered someone said they sometimes ground up eggshells for a calcium supplement (especially for mated females who need it to make eggs of their own.) I think this sounds like a good idea since eggshells are about 95% pure calcium carbonate, the same stuff in commercial supplements. The other minerals and proteins are probably pretty good for them too, but idk for sure... maybe someone more knowledgeable about nutrient requirements and chemical interactions could take a look: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/consumer/faq/eggshell-composition.shtml Supposedly 1 eggshell makes about a teaspoon of powder, and I'm gonna give this a shot by crushing 2 eggshells finely in a plastic bag.

I would like opinions though. Has anyone done this before? using what method? Should I bake them first to dry them? They've been boiled so they should be somewhat sterile... Do you think I should try to remove the thin, translucent membrane that sticks to the inside of the shell or leave it? Supposedly it's rich in protein, but idk how well it would grind up, and it might add moisture that could make it spoil or something. Thanks for all input I hope this will work out ok because it would definitely save me some hassle of ordering online and waiting for shipping, not to mention it's pretty economical

 

[sandrachameleon]

Have you considered buying online? (why would this be a hassel?)

Egg shells are an option of last resort if you ask me. Yes, You would want to boil / bake them first for sure. Using a plastic bag? Its going to take some work to make them fine ground enough to powder insects.

You would likely find it easier to go to the local pharamacy and buy calcium tablets meant for people and grind those up
even "tums" work in a pinch. Or ground cuddle bone.

 

[PhoenixFeather]

well I would like the supplement asap, and I happened to boil a few eggs today anyway...you were right that it was a major pain to grind them up though. It took like 20 minutes to get them about as fine as sand. and the membrane definitely didn't help, had to pull that out >.>
Oh well, I do dumb things so others don't have to If I had my spice grinder on the other hand...
Anyway you're probably right I should get calcium carbonate tablets. grinding up pressed pills is super easy. or I could get cuttlebone, or get my petshop to special order something, or go the online route of course. lots of options. Still I do wish the experiment had worked and I would have some calcium for tomorrow morning!

 

[pigglett79]

Have you considered buying online? (why would this be a hassel?)

Egg shells are an option of last resort if you ask me. Yes, You would want to boil / bake them first for sure. Using a plastic bag? Its going to take some work to make them fine ground enough to powder insects.

You would likely find it easier to go to the local pharamacy and buy calcium tablets meant for people and grind those up
even "tums" work in a pinch. Or ground cuddle bone.

I'm not sure that tums are the best option as there are other inactive ingredients such as sucrose, corn starch, flavoring, adipic acid, sodium polyphosphate, coloring, etc.

 

[jshaffer740]

I hope this will work out ok because it would definitely save me some hassle of ordering online and waiting for shipping, not to mention it's pretty economical

Ordering online will be more of a hassle than boiling, baking, peeling off the thin inner membrane, and grinding an eggshell into a fine power to get one teaspoon of calcium powder?

Also, I really don't think you will save much (if any) money in the long run, as you'll probably end up needing to buy a mortar and pestle to get it fine enough, and that, plus the energy costs of heating boiling water and an oven, as well as the cost of your time, would most likely more than cover a $10 can of calcium.

If I were you I would just head over to one our sponsors' site, or many of the other low-price online retailers, and place an order for calcium no-D3. You'll have it here in a couple days, it will last a while, and you won't have to worry about peeling membranes and grinding up eggshells.

 

[armando]

Yup like said above..
I would just get a cuttlebone at a pet store ... and scratch it to get a fine powder of it...
it will save you SO much time, and they are cheap!
Or just plain calcium for human use.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I'm not sure that tums are the best option as there are other inactive ingredients such as sucrose, corn starch, flavoring, adipic acid, sodium polyphosphate, coloring, etc.

no one said they are the best option. I said they'd due in a pinch.