How much calcium is too much?

[kayri]

Way back in the spring I had a game bird that was traumatized by a fox and then laid shelless eggs for a few months no matter what I gave her, tums, calcium syrup etc. She went through a molt and now I think she is fine. I haven't seen any shelless or soft shell eggs from her in a while (sometimes I wonder if she is laying at all). But I got in the habit of giving my other girls tums as a calcium supplement because their egg shells became hard as rock. Can I give them too much?
Thanks Kay

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

I think you can, if they can not get shed of the excess calcium though the eggs the kidneys must deal with it which can cause problems.

Also I am not sure on how super hard egg shells would affect hatching, might cause chicks not to be able to break that peep hole and zipper them selves out.

 

[kayri]

So I guess I should cut back, how much is too much? I'm not worried about hatching as I don't have a rooster, but i wouldn't want to stress their kidneys. Thanks. Kay

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

If they start to grow antlers, it's probably too much

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Any way you can crush them and offer them free choice like oyster shell? Or do they go hog wild over them because they are flavored?

 

[bburn]

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That is terrible! I am still laughing.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

I have heard of jackalope now chickalope.

Imagine a mean roo with spurs and antlers.

 

[junebug7334]

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yes-

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Chickalope:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/334499531_acca5f82c0.jpg?v=0

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

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