Boosting Calcium Intake: Chicken Diet Essentials

Calcium is an essential nutrient for chickens, particularly laying hens, to maintain their overall health and support egg production. A calcium-deficient diet can lead to health issues and reduced egg production. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your chickens receive an adequate amount of calcium through their food. This can be achieved by providing a varied diet rich in natural calcium sources or by adding calcium supplements.

How to add calcium to a chicken's diet

Oyster shells are the most common supplement

However, some chickens may be picky and leave the oyster shells behind. In that case, you can try mixing the crushed shells with their normal feed or with treats, or adding the powder to scrambled eggs, yoghurt, oatmeal, grits, or anything else you give them as treats. You can also dust the powder on lettuce or kale that has been dampened with a sprayer.

If you are using oyster shells as a supplement, it is recommended to place a dedicated feeder in your coop or outside run, as chickens will pick out and toss the shells if they are mixed with their grain. Be sure to protect the feeder from rain, as wet oyster shells will clump up.

It is important to note that young birds should not be fed high-calcium diets, as this can cause kidney damage and shorten their lifespan.

Limestone grit is an exceptional source

Calcium is one of the most essential nutrients for chickens, vital for their overall health and egg production. Laying hens, in particular, need an abundant amount of calcium. Without it, their eggshells will be thin and brittle, and they may even stop laying eggs altogether. In addition, a calcium deficiency can lead to severe bone damage as a hen's body will prioritise egg-making over bone health.

If you choose to use limestone grit as a calcium supplement for your chickens, it is important to provide it in a dedicated feeder, as chickens will pick out and toss supplements mixed into their regular grain. You can also mix limestone grit with their feed and warm water to create an oatmeal consistency, which chickens tend to enjoy. Limestone grit can also be added to treats such as yoghurt, grits, or occasional treats like scrambled eggs.

In addition to limestone grit, there are other ways to add calcium to your chicken's diet. Calcium-rich foods such as kale, spinach, broccoli leaves, almonds, sesame seeds, cheese, and yoghurt can be offered. Oyster shells are also a popular and affordable source of calcium for chickens. They can be purchased or collected and prepared at home by cleaning, baking, cooling, and crushing the shells. However, it is important to note that young birds should not be fed high-calcium diets as it can cause kidney damage.

Eggshells can be crushed and fed to hens

Calcium is an essential nutrient for chickens, particularly laying hens, to maintain their overall health and produce eggs. A calcium deficiency can lead to weak bones, thin eggshells, and a range of other health issues. While chicken feed should provide sufficient calcium, each chicken's dietary needs vary, and some may require additional calcium.

Eggshells are an efficient and readily available source of calcium for hens. They can be collected from the chicken coop or kitchen, dried, and crushed into a fine powder. This powder can then be mixed with the chicken's regular feed or placed in a separate dish for the chickens to eat freely. It is important to slowly introduce eggshells into a chicken's diet, as there is a risk that they may start breaking their own eggs or develop an egg-eating habit.

One method for preparing eggshells is to collect and rinse them, removing the membrane, and allowing them to dry on a paper towel or kitchen counter. Once dry, the eggshells can be baked in an oven at 350 °F (177 °C) and crushed with a rolling pin or blended in a food processor. Alternatively, some sources suggest that rinsing and crushing the eggshells are sufficient, and baking is unnecessary.

When feeding eggshells to chickens, it is important to monitor their behaviour and watch for any signs of calcium deficiency, such as weak bones or thin eggshells. It is also crucial to ensure that chickens are getting enough vitamin D3, as this vitamin helps them absorb and use calcium effectively.

Overall, feeding crushed eggshells to hens is a simple and economical way to provide them with supplemental calcium, supporting their health and egg-laying abilities.

Calcium-rich foods include kale, spinach, and broccoli

Calcium is one of the most essential nutrients for chickens, and a varied diet rich in calcium is vital for the health of the flock. Calcium is especially important for laying hens, as it helps them produce eggs with strong, healthy shells. Without enough calcium, eggshells will be thin and brittle, and the hens may even stop laying eggs altogether.

In addition to these vegetables, there are other calcium-rich foods that can be added to a chicken's diet. These include almonds, sesame seeds, cheese, and yogurt. Oyster shells are also a common and easily absorbable calcium supplement for chickens, and they can be purchased or made from leftover oyster shells. Limestone grit is another exceptional and easily absorbable source of calcium for chickens.

It is important to note that vitamin D3 is necessary for chickens to absorb and use calcium effectively. Therefore, ensuring your chickens are getting enough vitamin D3 in their diet is crucial. Additionally, providing a varied diet and consulting a veterinarian can help ensure your chickens are getting adequate calcium while maintaining a healthy balance of nutrients.

Calcium supplements can be given year-round

Calcium supplements can be given to chickens year-round, regardless of the season. It is an essential nutrient for overall health and egg production. Laying hens, in particular, require abundant calcium to produce eggs with strong and healthy shells.

When it comes to providing calcium supplements, it is recommended to place a dedicated feeder in the coop or outdoor run filled with crushed oyster shells. Hens will consume the oyster shells when they need additional calcium. It is important to ensure that the feeder is protected from rain, as wet oyster shells can clump up.

Another option for calcium supplementation is limestone grit, which is easily absorbable and provides an exceptional source of calcium. Similar to oyster shells, limestone grit can be offered in a dedicated feeder.

Eggshells can also be used as a source of calcium for chickens, but they require thorough drying and crushing to prevent bacterial growth and reduce the risk of teaching egg-eating habits. It is recommended to dry and bake eggshells before crushing them into a fine powder, which can then be mixed with food or treats such as yoghurt, oatmeal, or grits.

In addition to supplements, it is important to ensure that chickens receive enough vitamin D3 from their diet, as it is necessary for the absorption and utilisation of calcium. A fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin D, is stored in the liver and plays a crucial role in metabolising calcium.

Frequently asked questions