Oyster shell is an essential calcium supplement for backyard chickens. But how much should you provide? Getting the amount right ensures your hens stay healthy and lay strong eggs.
As a chicken owner, you likely know that oyster shell provides calcium But why is calcium so important for chickens? And how much oyster shell does a chicken need per 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. To produce an egg every day, a hen must consume a lot of calcium.
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
On average, hens need about 4 grams of calcium per 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: Its time to add calcium to your chickens eggs if the shells are soft, squishy, or nonexistent. A hen needs a calcium-rich diet to lay a hard-shelled egg.
- Bone damage: In the last few weeks, has a hen broken a bone or sustained a joint injury? Calcium deficiency may be to blame. If a hen does not have enough calcium while making an eggshell, she will take it from her bones. As a result, she will develop osteoporosis and have trouble standing.
- A decrease in egg production or failure of your hens to lay eggs: Have your hens reached the age at which they should be laying eggs? Have they stopped laying (or slowed down)? This may be due to a lack of calcium.
- Lameness: Too little calcium may not cause bone damage in chickens with lame or stiff legs. It is important to remember that these early signs could also symbolize calcium deficiency in non-laying chickens.
- Behavioral Problems: A low level of calcium may lead to pecking and increased activity in chickens. Some of your flock may suffer serious injury or even die as a result.
How Much Oyster Shell Should I Give my Chickens?
FAQ
How much oyster shell to give to chickens?
You should give your hens the free choice of oyster shell by supplying them with a dish separate from their feed and grit. 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.
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?