Need some insight on Feeding.

[K0k0shka]

I feed "all flock" feed with crushed eggshells on the side. I don't use oyster shell. The chickens prefer eggshell anyway, and it's one less thing I have to buy. Eggshells are free.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I feed "all flock" feed with crushed eggshells on the side. I don't use oyster shell. The chickens prefer eggshell anyway, and it's one less thing I have to buy. Eggshells are free.

In my own experience, egg shells are not enough. Egg shells are a fast absorbing form of calcium, so higher production breeds will be far more likely to suffer from poor egg shell quality. You can only recycle calcium so much too, since the chicken's body needs it for other functions. In the long term, adding oyster shells in addition to calcium is recommended. Oyster shells is also a slow-releasing form of calcium, so it's always there when the chicken needs it.

 

[3KillerBs]

In my own experience, egg shells are not enough. Egg shells are a fast absorbing form of calcium, so higher production breeds will be far more likely to suffer from poor egg shell quality. You can only recycle calcium so much too, since the chicken's body needs it for other functions. In the long term, adding oyster shells in addition to calcium is recommended. Oyster shells is also a slow-releasing form of calcium, so it's always there when the chicken needs it.

I've got both in my calcium feeder. It's easy insurance for egg quality.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Also, no notice in egg production/shell change?

You hit the nail on the head. Your egg shells will tell you if what you are doing is working or not. If they are hard you are good. If they are soft or thin you are not.

The calcium doesn't do anything for number of eggs, just how hard the shells are.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I've got both in my calcium feeder. It's easy insurance for egg quality.

Yes, I do both as well. Roughly 20-30% egg shells and 70-80% oyster shells.

 

[K0k0shka]

In my own experience, egg shells are not enough. Egg shells are a fast absorbing form of calcium, so higher production breeds will be far more likely to suffer from poor egg shell quality. You can only recycle calcium so much too, since the chicken's body needs it for other functions. In the long term, adding oyster shells in addition to calcium is recommended. Oyster shells is also a slow-releasing form of calcium, so it's always there when the chicken needs it.

You can add oyster shell to the eggshell if you want, as others have suggested. But if the chickens' bodies need more calcium, then they'll just eat more of the eggshells to compensate, and they'll be fine. If you never buy eggs and only feed the shells from the same number of eggs as what you collect, feeding back only what the chickens produce, then yes, some calcium will eventually get lost since they need it for other functions of the body, and you'll need to supplement. But if they have an unlimited supply (if you also buy eggs from the store to supplement your own, or otherwise have another source of shells), then there's no problem offering only eggshells. I only have 5 chickens so I still buy eggs occasionally, and my chickens have an unlimited supply. They've never laid a soft-shelled egg.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

You can add oyster shell to the eggshell if you want, as others have suggested. But if the chickens' bodies need more calcium, then they'll just eat more of the eggshells to compensate, and they'll be fine. If you never buy eggs and only feed the shells from the same number of eggs as what you collect, feeding back only what the chickens produce, then yes, some calcium will eventually get lost since they need it for other functions of the body, and you'll need to supplement. But if they have an unlimited supply (if you also buy eggs from the store to supplement your own, or otherwise have another source of shells), then there's no problem offering only eggshells. I only have 5 chickens so I still buy eggs occasionally, and my chickens have an unlimited supply. They've never laid a soft-shelled egg.

In many cases, folks aren't buying eggs from the store, they are selling their own eggs to other people.

You're absolutely not wrong, I just feel it's always best to err on the side of precaution.

Personally for me, my egg shell quality was not good over a period of time using a low-calcium feed and only egg shells. At the very least, people should be aware so that if they see a decline in shell quality, they can know it's because they need a better source of calcium.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is another aspect to it. A chicken's body does not digest all of the calcium they eat. Some passes straight through their system and out the back end. That's one reason compost made with chicken manure as a component is so good for a garden. Calcium is a necessary nutrient for many plants. Compost with chicken manure in it is a great source for that calcium.

That's another reason that just giving them their own egg shells back to them isn't enough unless they are getting calcium from another source. Some goes out of the back end.

They can get some extra calcium from some of the green plants they eat if they forage. Some of the creepy crawlies they eat may supply calcium. If limestone is your native rock they can get a lot of calcium from the stones they eat as grit. If your egg shells are firm they are getting calcium from somewhere.

 

[Chris2018]

You can add oyster shell to the eggshell if you want, as others have suggested. But if the chickens' bodies need more calcium, then they'll just eat more of the eggshells to compensate, and they'll be fine. If you never buy eggs and only feed the shells from the same number of eggs as what you collect, feeding back only what the chickens produce, then yes, some calcium will eventually get lost since they need it for other functions of the body, and you'll need to supplement. But if they have an unlimited supply (if you also buy eggs from the store to supplement your own, or otherwise have another source of shells), then there's no problem offering only eggshells. I only have 5 chickens so I still buy eggs occasionally, and my chickens have an unlimited supply. They've never laid a soft-shelled egg.

Keep in mind that the average hen needs around 4 to 5 grams of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) a day to remain healthy and produce a good shelled egg.
The average (not store bought) egg contains about 2.2 grams of CaCO3 that would mean that a single hen would have to consume 2 to 3 eggs per day to remain healthy and produce a good shelled egg.

Also egg shells are a small partial size calcium (oyster shells large) which means that most if not all of the CaCO3 will go right through the bird.

Your bird could be getting enough CaCO3 from there feed OR there extracting it from the bones.

 

[K0k0shka]

The eggshell is the perfect indicator for the body's calcium needs. If the hen isn't getting enough calcium, the shell of her egg will suffer before her bones do. So no need to worry about her depleting her bone calcium if her shells are hard. And if they are hard, then there's no problem. If they are soft or brittle, supply another source of calcium (or a larger quantity of what you already provide).