Just like humans, a chicken’s diet will largely affect how their bodies function. Because hens make several eggs per month, they are especially sensitive to what they eat. The quality of the eggshells they produce largely depends on their calcium intake. If a hen is not given access to free-choice calcium, and thus cannot properly form eggshells, she may become egg-bound or lay eggs with soft shells. In order to lay quality, healthy eggs, a hen must receive 4-5 grams of calcium per day. How can you help your hens achieve this? Keep reading to learn more!
Crushed eggshells
It is quite common to feed crushed eggshells as an additional form of calcium. In nature, chickens will often eat eggshells on their own. To prepare your own egg shell supplement, use your eggs for cooking as you normally would, put the remaining shells in a container, and store them in the refrigerator. Prior to feeding these eggshells to your chickens, you should bake them to destroy any bacteria, and also to change up the flavor a bit. Baking the shells will keep chickens from associating them with the eggs that they lay, and will make them unrecognizable in a way. Bake the shells at 300 degrees for about 5 minutes. You can then crush them into smaller flakes… a mortar and pestle works great for this! They are then ready to serve to your flock.
Crushed oyster shells
These can be purchased in a form that is intended for chicken consumption. Oyster shell flakes tend to be more appetizing than the larger rocks. Those that worry about their chickens developing a taste for their own eggs may prefer to use crushed oysters as a calcium supplement instead.
If you have your own leftover oyster shells that you want to offer to your chickens, start by cleaning them well. Bake them at 250 degrees for 10 minutes. Once the oyster shells are baked and cooled, put them in a plastic bag, seal it, and use a hammer to break them apart. If you are seeking a finer powder, you can then add the shells to a food processor.
Providing calcium
Young chickens should not be fed additional calcium until they have begun to lay eggs. This is why starter feeds and layer feeds differ in their calcium content. The two calcium supplements we discussed should not be mixed into your layer feed, as this can cause your chickens to ingest too much calcium. Always offer it in a separate tray or dish that your chickens can pick at freely. They understand what nutrients they need and when they need them. Chickens are more intelligent than you’d think!
Calcium supplements can be given year-round… it does not matter if it’s winter or summer! Broody hens and molting chickens alike can also benefit from the added calcium. Now that you know some easy ways to provide calcium to your laying hens, you will never have to worry about calcium deficiency!