Besides eggshells, yogurt and oyster shell, are there any high calcium foods that I can feed to my chickens? They have been having soft shells.
Any high calcium foods?
- Thread starter Peepchirpquack
- Start date
Are you providing oyster shell? What feed are they on - meaning is it layer ration or all-flock or?
I agree with Ol grey Mare. Start with their feed and oyster shell first. Dark leafy vegetables and sardines have a lot of calcium.
What feeds, treats and scraps are you feeding them?
I ask this because there are a number of reasons for soft shells and most people immediately think that Oyster shell is what a hen needs if she is laying soft shelled eggs but a dietary deficiency can also be the cause of a soft' shelled egg.
A few things to look at when you are getting soft eggs (remember too much of any one of these ingredients can affect egg quality just the same as too little)
Protein, Adequate levels of lysine and methionine is need to produce good egg shells. When pullets begin laying, there is an increase in protein, vitamin and mineral requirements per day due to deposition in the egg. If dietary protein is too low or the amino acid requirements are not met, poor egg production and hatchability will occur.
Calcium, The egg shell is composed primarily of calcium carbonate. The pullet's requirement for calciumis relatively low during the growing period, but when the first eggs are produced, the need is increased at least four times, with practically all of the increase being used for the productionof eggshells. Inadequate calcium consumption will result in decreased egg production and loweregg shell quality.
Hens store calcium in medullary bone, a specialized bone capable of rapid calcium turnover. As calcium stores are depleted, bones become brittle. In severe cases, hens are unable tostand. The condition is known as caged-layer fatigue. Birds on the ground or on litter floorsrecycle calcium and phosphorus through consumption of feces, and do not have caged-layer fatigue.
Calcium can be supplied in the diet as either ground limestone or oyster shell. Particlesize affects calcium availability. Usually the larger the particle size, the longer the particlewill be retained in the upper digestive tract. This means that the larger particles of thecalcium source are released more slowly, and this may be important for the continuity of shellformation, especially in the dark period when birds do not ordinarily eat.
Periodically, dolomitic limestone is offered to the feed industry. However, dolomitic limestone(which is used in the steel industry) should never be used in poultry diets. Dolomitic limestonecontains at least 10% magnesium, and this complexes with calcium or competes with calcium forabsorption sites in the intestines. The consequence of feeding dolomitic limestone is inducedcalcium deficiency.
Young birds should not be fed a high calcium layer diet because the calcium/phosphorus ratiowill be unbalanced, resulting in increased morbidity or mortality.
Phosphorus, The nutritional role of phosphorus is closely related to that of calcium. Both are constituentsof bone. The ratio of dietary calcium to phosphorus affects the absorption of both these elements;an excess of either one impedes absorption and can reduce egg production, shell quality and/orhatchability.
In addition to its function in bone, phosphorus plays a primary role in carbohydrate metabolism,is active in fat metabolism, and helps to regulate the acid-base balance of the body
Vitamin D, Vitamin D is required for normal calcium absorption and utilization. If inadequate levelsof vitamin D are fed, induced calcium deficiency quickly results and egg production decreases.
Feed grade vitamin D comes in two forms, D2 and D3. In most animals, both are equally potent. In birds, however, D3 is substantially more active than D2. In poultry diets, therefore, vitamin D must be supplied in the form of D3.
Magnesium, Magnesium is needed for healthy bones, proper nervous system functioning, and energy metabolism.
Fat, Dietary fat is a source of energy and of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. A deficiency of linoleic acid will adversely affect egg production. Dietary fats also serve as "carriers"of fat-soluble vitamins, and some fat is necessary for absorption of vitamins. In fact, impairmentof the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) is the most serious consequence of a dietary deficiency of fat.
The general make up of a egg shell is --
Calcium carbonate.............................................................:94-97%
Phosphorus.......................................................................:0.3%
Magnesium........................................................................:0.2%
Sodium, Potassium, Manganese, Iron and Copper............:traces
Organic matter...................................................................:< 2%
I ask this because there are a number of reasons for soft shells and most people immediately think that Oyster shell is what a hen needs if she is laying soft shelled eggs but a dietary deficiency can also be the cause of a soft' shelled egg.
A few things to look at when you are getting soft eggs (remember too much of any one of these ingredients can affect egg quality just the same as too little)
Protein, Adequate levels of lysine and methionine is need to produce good egg shells. When pullets begin laying, there is an increase in protein, vitamin and mineral requirements per day due to deposition in the egg. If dietary protein is too low or the amino acid requirements are not met, poor egg production and hatchability will occur.
Calcium, The egg shell is composed primarily of calcium carbonate. The pullet's requirement for calciumis relatively low during the growing period, but when the first eggs are produced, the need is increased at least four times, with practically all of the increase being used for the productionof eggshells. Inadequate calcium consumption will result in decreased egg production and loweregg shell quality.
Hens store calcium in medullary bone, a specialized bone capable of rapid calcium turnover. As calcium stores are depleted, bones become brittle. In severe cases, hens are unable tostand. The condition is known as caged-layer fatigue. Birds on the ground or on litter floorsrecycle calcium and phosphorus through consumption of feces, and do not have caged-layer fatigue.
Calcium can be supplied in the diet as either ground limestone or oyster shell. Particlesize affects calcium availability. Usually the larger the particle size, the longer the particlewill be retained in the upper digestive tract. This means that the larger particles of thecalcium source are released more slowly, and this may be important for the continuity of shellformation, especially in the dark period when birds do not ordinarily eat.
Periodically, dolomitic limestone is offered to the feed industry. However, dolomitic limestone(which is used in the steel industry) should never be used in poultry diets. Dolomitic limestonecontains at least 10% magnesium, and this complexes with calcium or competes with calcium forabsorption sites in the intestines. The consequence of feeding dolomitic limestone is inducedcalcium deficiency.
Young birds should not be fed a high calcium layer diet because the calcium/phosphorus ratiowill be unbalanced, resulting in increased morbidity or mortality.
Phosphorus, The nutritional role of phosphorus is closely related to that of calcium. Both are constituentsof bone. The ratio of dietary calcium to phosphorus affects the absorption of both these elements;an excess of either one impedes absorption and can reduce egg production, shell quality and/orhatchability.
In addition to its function in bone, phosphorus plays a primary role in carbohydrate metabolism,is active in fat metabolism, and helps to regulate the acid-base balance of the body
Vitamin D, Vitamin D is required for normal calcium absorption and utilization. If inadequate levelsof vitamin D are fed, induced calcium deficiency quickly results and egg production decreases.
Feed grade vitamin D comes in two forms, D2 and D3. In most animals, both are equally potent. In birds, however, D3 is substantially more active than D2. In poultry diets, therefore, vitamin D must be supplied in the form of D3.
Magnesium, Magnesium is needed for healthy bones, proper nervous system functioning, and energy metabolism.
Fat, Dietary fat is a source of energy and of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. A deficiency of linoleic acid will adversely affect egg production. Dietary fats also serve as "carriers"of fat-soluble vitamins, and some fat is necessary for absorption of vitamins. In fact, impairmentof the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) is the most serious consequence of a dietary deficiency of fat.
The general make up of a egg shell is --
Calcium carbonate.............................................................:94-97%
Phosphorus.......................................................................:0.3%
Magnesium........................................................................:0.2%
Sodium, Potassium, Manganese, Iron and Copper............:traces
Organic matter...................................................................:< 2%
Last edited:
I know this is an older thread... but I'm having the same issue with one of my hens, so figured I'd ask if anyone had any other ideas.
I have crushed oyster shells available - in 2 separate 'help yourself' locations in the coop & run. I have the flock on Flock Raiser Crumble... because i've got laying hens and 15 week old pullets.
I know it's not much longer till I can shift everyone on the Layer Feed... but right now, one of my hens has been laying eggs with softer shells, and they break easily, usually when she's getting off the nest after laying her egg.
I feed the flock healthy treats like plain yogurt with Probios, sunflower seeds, herbs and pumpkin mixed in... 2x a week; fruit like watermelon, fresh herbs and lots of cucumbers, kale & swiss chard from the garden. Each week, have been opening a can of tuna... (which they LOVE) and freezing it - as a cold, healthy snack in this terrible summer heat we're having right now... What else could I feed her... or HOW do I get her to help herself & eat the oyster shells?
I have crushed oyster shells available - in 2 separate 'help yourself' locations in the coop & run. I have the flock on Flock Raiser Crumble... because i've got laying hens and 15 week old pullets.
I know it's not much longer till I can shift everyone on the Layer Feed... but right now, one of my hens has been laying eggs with softer shells, and they break easily, usually when she's getting off the nest after laying her egg.
I feed the flock healthy treats like plain yogurt with Probios, sunflower seeds, herbs and pumpkin mixed in... 2x a week; fruit like watermelon, fresh herbs and lots of cucumbers, kale & swiss chard from the garden. Each week, have been opening a can of tuna... (which they LOVE) and freezing it - as a cold, healthy snack in this terrible summer heat we're having right now... What else could I feed her... or HOW do I get her to help herself & eat the oyster shells?
Two things could be happening here; older hens can develop reproductive issues, and these birds are getting a lot of extra stuff to eat. This one hen may be eating too much yummy stuff, and unbalancing her diet, or she's having a health issue.
Free choice Flock Raiser (always fresh by mill date!) and free choice oyster shell, and some free ranging, works fine here, and has for decades, for all my birds.
Sometimes one of my older hens has problems, and weather extremes or any other stress can cause issues too.
Rather than adding yet more ingredients, you could try reducing their treats, so everyone fills up on their balanced diet, and see how she does.
Look for mites or lice, at night with a flashlight, and consider having fecals run at the veterinarian's, so if there's a parasite issue, you can fix it.
Mary
Free choice Flock Raiser (always fresh by mill date!) and free choice oyster shell, and some free ranging, works fine here, and has for decades, for all my birds.
Sometimes one of my older hens has problems, and weather extremes or any other stress can cause issues too.
Rather than adding yet more ingredients, you could try reducing their treats, so everyone fills up on their balanced diet, and see how she does.
Look for mites or lice, at night with a flashlight, and consider having fecals run at the veterinarian's, so if there's a parasite issue, you can fix it.
Mary
Thank you Mary, @Folly's place - for your input!
I monitor their treats to only about 10% of their dietary intake... and make sure the treat is in the late afternoon / early evening so that everyone eats their crumble - through out the day - first!
This hen's 1 year old, born March 2018... but she's been broody - & at the same time also bullying the pullets. She went into the penalty box for a week of confinement, which cooled her jets on the broody thing, AND dropped her in the pecking order. But now I've noticed she's managed to pull her chest feathers out... and her weight seems lighter, as her keel is more prominently felt when I pick her up - than it was before - though she doesn't look thin. (She's a Red Sexlink).
I find it interesting that you said she could be sick, I've worried about that. I noticed during the broody / bullying thing- that her comb had became a tad pale. So I wormed everyone using Zyfend for 7 days... which worked great, (with no withdrawal on the eggs) and she sprung back to her vibrant comb color by the end of that week. I also regularly use Ropa Oil in their water, which seems to keep everyone super healthy, and I put ACV in their water, and crushed garlic - alternating days on this - so they get a variety of all good stuff.
I do check the flock over for mites & lice regularly... and keep the coop really clean each day, and have a big dust bath area for them with food grade lime & De, sand & wood ash... and they love using it. I haven't seen any bugs or bite marks on them.
Reducing her treats - is what I'll do! She is a glutton when I bring treats, and often times I have to move her off - so others can have some too... so I'll start limiting her more, so she focuses more on her crumble! Good plan! Thanks!
I monitor their treats to only about 10% of their dietary intake... and make sure the treat is in the late afternoon / early evening so that everyone eats their crumble - through out the day - first!
This hen's 1 year old, born March 2018... but she's been broody - & at the same time also bullying the pullets. She went into the penalty box for a week of confinement, which cooled her jets on the broody thing, AND dropped her in the pecking order. But now I've noticed she's managed to pull her chest feathers out... and her weight seems lighter, as her keel is more prominently felt when I pick her up - than it was before - though she doesn't look thin. (She's a Red Sexlink).
I find it interesting that you said she could be sick, I've worried about that. I noticed during the broody / bullying thing- that her comb had became a tad pale. So I wormed everyone using Zyfend for 7 days... which worked great, (with no withdrawal on the eggs) and she sprung back to her vibrant comb color by the end of that week. I also regularly use Ropa Oil in their water, which seems to keep everyone super healthy, and I put ACV in their water, and crushed garlic - alternating days on this - so they get a variety of all good stuff.
I do check the flock over for mites & lice regularly... and keep the coop really clean each day, and have a big dust bath area for them with food grade lime & De, sand & wood ash... and they love using it. I haven't seen any bugs or bite marks on them.
Reducing her treats - is what I'll do! She is a glutton when I bring treats, and often times I have to move her off - so others can have some too... so I'll start limiting her more, so she focuses more on her crumble! Good plan! Thanks!
What breed are your 15 week old ones?
It is ok to start feeding layer type feed before you see the first egg.
It is actually good to give it to them before they start laying.
WOW! Really! Ok cool! THAT might be the way to go! I can begin to ween them over to the layer feed - as I've got about a 10 days of the mixed flock crumble left!
I've got 10, fifteen week old pullets... 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Red Sexlinks, 2 Australorps, 2 Blue Easter Eggers & 2 regular Easter Eggers. A few of them already have notable combs & wattles... and the rest are showing signs of getting them soon.
Finish the 10 days worth and switch them.
It won't hurt a thing.
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