The recycling of hatchery wastes could reduce disposal costs for this broiler production residual. Eggshell is abundant in the residual and is composed primarily of calcite, which is known to sorb metals. The uptake of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions by the residual was investigated, and the underlying mechanisms were characterized in a series of batch and column experiments. The residual's selectivity decreased according to: Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Cd(II) > Ni(II) and probably can be explained by different removal mechanisms. Compared with a commercial ion exchange resin, treatment columns containing the residual had a relatively low capacity for metals in an electroplating wastewater and regeneration was relatively inefficient. Thus, it may not be practical to use the residual in primary wastewater treatment. Use of the residual in wastewater polishing or as a co-amendment with land-applied biosolids may be more appropriate.