The Importance of Crushed Oyster Shells with Laying Hens
- Donna Weekes
- Jan 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 7
Ensuring the health and productivity of laying hens is a critical aspect of chicken keeping that requires both knowledge and proper resources. One of the most vital yet often overlooked components of a hen's diet is oyster shell. This powerhouse supplement can significantly impact egg production and overall hen health, making it a secret weapon for farmers and backyard chicken keepers.
What Are Oyster Shells?
Oyster shells are the hardened outer layer of oysters that are found in marine environments. These shells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, a critical mineral for many bodily functions in hens, especially for those that are laying eggs.
Oyster shell is typically sold in crushed form, making it suitable, providing free choice to hens.
The calcium provided by oyster shell is essential for the formation of strong eggshells, which is a significant concern for any chicken keeper. Soft or thin eggshells can lead to breakage, which not only reduces egg production but also can lead to increased waste and potential health risks for the flock.
There are two types calcium ordinarily fed to backyard laying hens: crushed limestone, which is in a commercially prepared layer feed and oyster shell, which is offered to them in a separate dish near their feeder.
Crushed limestone, found in layer feed can be thought of as a fast release source of calcium because it's small and it's absorbed easily and quickly by the hen.
Oyster shell is more of a slow release source of calcium because it's large and sits in the gizzard, getting ground up a little at a time before being absorbed by the hen.
We Thought She Was Just Sleeping At Night
Out of approximately 25 hours needed to create an egg, 18-20 of them are dedicated to shell formation, which occurs overnight while she sleeps. A hen can use and replace the calcium it carries in her bloodstream up to 100 times overnight!
That's why the large particles of oyster shell in the gizzard are essential to eggshell formation overnight.
The Role of Calcium in Egg Production
Calcium plays an indispensable role in the life of laying hens, especially considering the high demand for this mineral during egg formation.
Hens need to consume approximately 4 grams of calcium per day, which can be a significant amount when they are producing eggs regularly. A lack of calcium can lead to a host of problems, including:
Weak or fragile eggshells
Decreased egg production
Loss of bone density in hens
When hens do not receive adequate calcium, they will often draw from their bone reserves to meet their needs, which can lead to osteoporosis and other long-term health issues.
Providing oyster shells as part of a hen's diet ensures a steady supply of calcium that not only supports eggshell formation but also contributes to the overall health of the flock.
How to Incorporate Oyster Shells into Hen Diets
Free Choice
This method involves providing crushed oyster shells in a separate feeder, allowing hens to consume them at their convenience. This approach promotes natural foraging behaviors and ensures deference to the hens’ specific needs.
The Benefits of Using Oyster Shells
The benefits of using oyster shells extend beyond just calcium supplementation. Here are several key advantages:
Stronger Eggshells
The most immediate benefit is the production of stronger eggshells. Stronger shells mean fewer broken eggs and less waste, which directly improves productivity.
Enhanced Nutritional Value
Oyster shells don’t just offer calcium; they can also provide trace minerals essential for overall health. These minerals contribute to better nutrition for your hens, helping them maintain energy levels and supporting reproductive health.
Cost-Effective Solution
Incorporating oyster shells into your flock management is a cost-effective way to enhance egg production and improve the overall health of your laying hens. Many poultry feed stores offer bags of oyster shells making them an economical choice for backyard chicken keepers.
Improved Hen Health
Beyond shell strength, adequate calcium intake helps maintain optimal bone health in laying hens. Healthy bones prevent fractures and long-term health complications, keeping the flock healthy.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
While the benefits of oyster shells are significant, it's important to remain aware of some potential challenges:
Quality Control
Ensure the oyster shells you provide are free from contaminants. Always source from reputable suppliers, as impurities can lead to health issues in your hens.
Individual Hen Needs
Each hen is unique, and their dietary requirements can vary based on age, breed, and overall health. That's why offering free choice and not mixed into their feed is important.
Skip the Eggshells
Back in the day, before there was a nutritionally complete chicken feed available, farmers would offer crushed egg shells back to their laying hens to support bone strength and eggshell quality. However, because a nutritionally complete chicken feed already contains crushed limestone, eggshells are unnecessary. Crushed eggshells are neither necessary or helpful as the excess calcium must be filtered out of the hens kidneys, taxing her kidneys.
We provide a supplement for hens to support the production of healthy eggshells, if needed.
Chick' N Egg
*Supports musculoskeletal integrity
*Promotes good bone structure
*Promotes a healthy eggshell structure
*Promotes the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus
*Provides 400 IU of Vitamin D3/5ml 1 (teaspoon)
*Source of calcium
Conclusion
In the pursuit of healthy, productive laying hens, oyster shells stand out as the essential source of calcium with your chickens. From strong eggshells to better overall flock health, the benefits of incorporating oyster shells into the diet is hard to ignore. By understanding how to effectively utilize this natural calcium source, backyard chicken keepers can significantly enhance their production and ensure their hens thrive.
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