Gardeners are being encouraged to repurpose eggshells this April to support bird health, particularly after nesting season. Maureen Eiger, director of Help Wild Birds, explains that eggshells are rich in calcium and minerals, which are vital for birds, especially females laying eggs.
Eiger advises against placing raw eggshells directly on bird tables due to the risk of salmonella. Instead, she recommends baking them at 120°C for 10 minutes after rinsing with hot water (no soap). This sterilises the shells and makes them brittle for easy crushing.
Once cooled, crush the shells into fine pieces to avoid choking hazards. Scatter them on bird tables or around the garden to attract species like blue tits, sparrows, blackbirds, chaffinches, and robins.
