What things do i feed my hen that are high in calcium ?

[papileo]

Since my hen played a rubbery egg today, i want to UP her feed in higher healthier amount of calcium.

A list of household things that are the highest amounts in calcium, Store-bought things too

Thanks to all who reply, Leo.

 

[Cacique500]

First thing I would suggest is to get some crushed oyster shell and have it available at all times - they will eat it when they need it. That's the easiest way since it can stay out and won't go bad.

Other things we feed them that are high in calcium are yogurt, some cheese (small amount), collard greens, kale, and spinach.

We sometimes take a "bunch" of the collards or kale and hang it up in the run...so they get the entertainment factor as well. They'll strip collards and kale completely down to the stem.

Here's a link to the Oyster Shell we use from Tractor Supply:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/manna-proreg;-oyster-shell-50-lb

 

[papileo]

First thing I would suggest is to get some crushed oyster shell and have it available at all times - they will eat it when they need it. That's the easiest way since it can stay out and won't go bad.

Other things we feed them that are high in calcium are yogurt, some cheese (small amount), collard greens, kale, and spinach.

We sometimes take a "bunch" of the collards or kale and hang it up in the run...so they get the entertainment factor as well. They'll strip collards and kale completely down to the stem.

Here's a link to the Oyster Shell we use from Tractor Supply:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/manna-proreg;-oyster-shell-50-lb

Will you need to dry the kale, spinach, and collards?
They just eat them like that ?
Plain or fruit yogurt?
Thank you for the website x2 on that one

 

[Cacique500]

They eat the greens fresh not dried. We use plain Greek yogurt.

 

[roseyred]

I had a hen with that issue. I made her scrambled eggs with the shells included. Lol just blend whole eggs together then scramble with some coconut oil.

 

[papileo]

I had a hen with that issue. I made her scrambled eggs with the shells included. Lol just blend whole eggs together then scramble with some coconut oil.

Can you boil the eggs ? or will it lose something key in the boiling process.

 

[roseyred]

Not at all. I just found it easier to scramble it lol. My hens issue was she didn't like the calcium and wouldn't eat egg shells on there own. Gotta bribe them and make it tasty like putting beets in Popsicles for kids hahahah.
I try to save all my egg shells and feed them back to the flock. It's like a little treat for them now. And I hardly have to fill there calcium bowl

 

[papileo]

Not at all. I just found it easier to scramble it lol. My hens issue was she didn't like the calcium and wouldn't eat egg shells on there own. Gotta bribe them and make it tasty like putting beets in Popsicles for kids hahahah.
I try to save all my egg shells and feed them back to the flock. It's like a little treat for them now. And I hardly have to fill there calcium bow

Haha well thanks a lot now for the egg tip. Its funny that when the egg goes out is as healthy as when it goes back into her, its like recycling that calcium haha, goes in a circle lol

 

[Blooie]

It depends somewhat on whether your hen has just recently started laying, too. Sometimes there doesn't have to be a thing missing in their diets. Early on, it takes a bit for the assembly line to get in sync. So rubber eggs, mis-shapen eggs, very small eggs, or even shell-less are not uncommon. I think we've all had them from time to time. If she is new to laying and you haven't been feeding layer food yet, now is the time to start.

Going on the assumption that she's been laying for awhile now and this is a new development, there are several things you can do to help harden those shells. I have a mixed flock - roos, and chicks of 3 different ages all integrated into the same coop/run, and it's just to difficult to teach them to only eat out of their own dishes. Yeah, that'll happen! So I feed an all-flock food and keep a separate container of oyster shell that the girls will nibble on if they need it. All of mine also love "hard boiled egg day"! I get out the oldest eggs in the fridge - those are still good but just a little too old for most of my customers' peace of mind - and boil 'em up, chop 'em up, and feed them to the chickens, shells and all.

Greens are also good, as has been mentioned. I don't mess with yogurt - my chickens never acquired a taste for it despite many attempts.

 

[papileo]

It depends somewhat on whether your hen has just recently started laying, too. Sometimes there doesn't have to be a thing missing in their diets. Early on, it takes a bit for the assembly line to get in sync. So rubber eggs, mis-shapen eggs, very small eggs, or even shell-less are not uncommon. I think we've all had them from time to time. If she is new to laying and you haven't been feeding layer food yet, now is the time to start.

Going on the assumption that she's been laying for awhile now and this is a new development, there are several things you can do to help harden those shells. I have a mixed flock - roos, and chicks of 3 different ages all integrated into the same coop/run, and it's just to difficult to teach them to only eat out of their own dishes. Yeah, that'll happen! So I feed an all-flock food and keep a separate container of oyster shell that the girls will nibble on if they need it. All of mine also love "hard boiled egg day"! I get out the oldest eggs in the fridge - those are still good but just a little too old for most of my customers' peace of mind - and boil 'em up, chop 'em up, and feed them to the chickens, shells and all.

Greens are also good, as has been mentioned. I don't mess with yogurt - my chickens never acquired a taste for it despite many attempts.

Thank you soo much Blooie

i will take your words in consideration, and yes she's new to egg laying
I also visited my local pet store and bought some crushed oyster shells and mixed it in with my cracked corn/seed mix they enjoyed pecking at the shells. When will the calcium take full on effect in her egg laying ?