Oyster shell is an essential calcium supplement for backyard chickens. But how much should you give them? Giving them the right amount will keep them healthy and help them lay strong eggs.
There’s a good chance that you know that oyster shell gives chickens calcium. But why is calcium so important for chickens? Also, how much oyster shell does a chicken need every day?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding oyster shell to chickens You’ll learn
- Why chickens need calcium from oyster shell
- How much calcium chickens need daily
- How much oyster shell to provide per chicken
- The signs of calcium deficiency
- How to prepare and feed oyster shell
Why Chickens Need Calcium from Oyster Shell
Chicken eggs are made almost entirely of calcium carbonate. A hen needs to eat a lot of calcium to lay eggs every day.
In fact, a hen will put 20 times more calcium into her eggs in one year than her entire skeleton contains!
Since commercial feed doesn’t always provide enough calcium, supplementing with oyster shell is crucial. It provides the extra calcium hens require to lay strong eggs and maintain bone health.
Here are some of the benefits chickens get from oyster shell:
- Strengthens eggshells to prevent breakage
- Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Strengthens blood vessels
- Supports the immune system
- Improves cardiovascular health
Oyster shell also contains calcium that is readily available for egg production. When hens eat it, the calcium quickly dissolves and enters the bloodstream.
How Much Calcium Do Chickens Need Daily?
The amount of calcium a hen needs daily depends on how often she lays eggs:
- Hens laying 5-6 eggs per week need 4 grams of calcium daily
- Hens laying eggs daily need over 5 grams of calcium per day
In general, hens need 4 grams of calcium every day. But heavier hens will require more calcium than smaller breeds.
To produce one egg, a hen must consume 2 grams of calcium. Since an eggshell is mostly calcium carbonate, nearly all the calcium must come from her diet.
That’s why consistent access to supplemental calcium from oyster shell is so important. Hens self-regulate how much they need to consume.
How Much Oyster Shell Per Chicken?
When feeding oyster shell, allow free-choice access rather than mixing it into feed. This allows hens to eat the amount they need.
As a general rule of thumb, provide the following amounts per chicken:
- 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) for bantams
- 1/4 cup (45g) for light breeds
- 1/3 cup (65g) for heavy breeds
For 10 hens, I’d recommend starting with about 2 cups of oyster shell. Observe if they finish it all quickly or ignore it. Then adjust the amount as needed.
The best method is providing free-choice oyster shell in a separate dish or container. Allow your chickens to self-regulate how much they eat.
Replenish the oyster shell when the container gets low. Watching how quickly they consume it will tell you if you need to increase or reduce the amount.
Signs Your Chickens Need More Calcium
Watch for these signs that your flock may need more calcium:
- Soft or thin eggshells
- Hens eating their own eggs
- Broken bones or lameness
- Weak legs
- Reduced egg production
- Behavioral issues like feather plucking
If you notice any of these issues, increase their oyster shell intake. The flock will adjust their calcium intake to meet their current dietary requirements.
How to Prepare and Feed Oyster Shell
Offering oyster shell to your chickens is very easy. Here are some tips:
- Provide free-choice access in a separate container daily
- Replenish the supply when low
- Start with about 1/4 cup per hen, adjusting as needed
- Crush shells into small pieces for easier eating
- Bake shells to sterilize before feeding
- Offer grit separately as it aids digestion
Make sure the oyster shell is placed somewhere dry, where it won’t get contaminated or wet.
Feeding adequate amounts of oyster shell supplements is one of the simplest ways to keep your flock healthy and productive. Let your chickens’ egg production and consumption guide how much you need to provide.
Now that you know exactly how much oyster shell to give your chickens, you can ensure your hens’ nutritional needs are met. Ample calcium allows hens to lay abundant, strong eggs while keeping their bones and immune systems healthy.
Alternatives to store-bought oyster shells?There are several alternatives to oyster shell that you can feed your laying hens if you don’t want to purchase commercial oyster shell.
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Mustard greens
- Kale
- Yogurt
- Dandelion greens
- Red clover
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cheese
- Milk
- Basil
- Cooked beans
- Cabbage
- Summer squash
- Garlic
- Orange juice
- Shellfish
- Salmon and sardines
Vitamin SupplementsIt won’t necessarily increase your chickens’ calcium levels, and it shouldn’t be viewed as a solution to calcium deficiency on its own. You can, however, improve your chickens’ ability to absorb calcium by supplementing them with vitamin A, D, and E. You can purchase these supplements in powder form and should add them to their water every other day. Additionally, they won’t harm non-laying birds, so you don’t have to worry about providing separate watering systems for roosters or young chickens.
- Soft Eggshells: If the shells of your chicken eggs are soft, squishy, or not there at all, it’s time to add calcium. To lay a hard-shelled egg, a hen needs to eat a lot of calcium.
- Bone damage: Has a hen broken a bone or hurt a joint in the last few weeks? A lack of calcium may be to blame. If a hen doesn’t have enough calcium to make an eggshell, she will get it from her bones. She will get osteoporosis and have trouble standing because of this.
- Loss of eggs or hens that don’t lay any: Have your hens reached the age when they should be laying eggs? Have they stopped laying eggs (or slowed down)? This could be because they don’t have enough calcium.
- Being lame: Chickens with weak or stiff legs may not have bone damage from not getting enough calcium. It’s important to remember that these early signs could also mean that non-laying chickens aren’t getting enough calcium.
- Behavior Issues: If chickens don’t get enough calcium, they may peck and be more active. Because of this, some of your flock could get hurt badly or even die.
How Much Oyster Shell Should I Give my Chickens?
FAQ
How much oyster shell should I give my chickens?
There is no set rule as to how much oyster shell you should give your chickens. Some people recommend giving them a handful of shells per bird, while others say that a couple of tablespoons per bird is sufficient. I would start with a small amount and then offer more if they’re gobbling it up.
Are oyster shells good for chickens?
Oyster shells are a great source of calcium for chickens. A lack of calcium can lead to problems such as weak bones and egg binding. So, it’s important that your chickens have access to oyster shells in order to maintain good health. On one hand, chickens should be getting enough calcium from their feed.
Do hens need oyster shells?
If your hens are healthy, they don’t need them. Also, oyster shells should not be used as insoluble grit because they are soft. In the same manner, don’t use chicken grit as a source of calcium. These two have different purposes and are not interchangeable. Just like chicken eggshells, oyster shells also have high calcium content.
Do hens need grit or oyster shell?
Not all chickens need soluble grit or oyster shell, this is a requirement for laying hens only. In addition, modern layers pellets provide a minimum level of nutrition required to cope with the egg production of even the best hybrid layers. Layers pellets have calcium added to the feed in powdered form to satisfy the needs of most hens.
How do you feed oyster shells?
The best method is putting the oyster shells in a separate container and allowing them to “free feed” and eat the amount they feel they need. You can place the shells in a bowl or feeder to provide easy access. As mentioned previously, never mix it with their regular feed. Refill the Container When It’s Empty.
Why do chicken hens eat oyster shells?
Aside from that, it also improves the functions of the cardiovascular system, strengthens blood vessels, and boosts their immune system. Therefore, oyster shells also help in increasing the volume of egg production. When Should You Feed Chicken Hens With Oyster Shells?.
How much oyster shell to give to chickens?
You should give your hens oyster shells on a separate dish from their feed and grit so they can choose what they want. Hens who need extra calcium will take as much as they need where other chickens (like roosters or non-laying hens) will likely not ever touch it if they don’t need it.
How to add oyster shells for chickens?
To provide oyster shells for chickens, offer them in a separate dish or feeder, allowing chickens to consume them as needed. This “free choice” method ensures they get the right amount of calcium for strong eggshells without overconsumption.
How to use oyster shells as fertilizer?
Oyster shells can be ground up into a powder and mixed with water to create a liquid fertilizer that can be applied to plants.