Why Your Chickens Shouldn't Eat Egg Shells: The Surprising Reason Behind It

In the world of chicken keeping, there's a misconception that feeding chickens their own egg shells is a good practice. After all, those shells are made of calcium carbonate, and chickens need calcium for strong bones and healthy eggs. It seems logical to recycle what they produce, but this approach may not be as beneficial as it appears. Notably, if your hens are already on a nutritionally complete layer feed, the dynamics change completely.

Understanding Calcium Requirements

Chickens, especially laying hens, require a lot of calcium in their diet. This essential nutrient helps form strong eggshells, which is crucial for the health of both the hen and the chick inside if the egg is fertilized. Many chicken keepers turn to egg shells as a natural source of calcium, but this practice can inadvertently lead to more problems than solutions.

Nutritionally Complete Layer Feed

When feeding your chickens a high-quality layer feed, you are already providing them with a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. These feeds are formulated to contain adequate levels of calcium, along with vitamins and minerals essential for their health and egg production. By supplementing with egg shells, you might assume you're doing a favorable thing, but this could actually disrupt the nutrient balance that the layer feed is designed to provide.

The Risk of Nutritional Imbalance

If you provide them with egg shells, this additional calcium source, they may consume more than what they require. Excessive calcium can lead to several health problems, such as kidney damage and reduced egg production.

Layer feed and egg shells are both a fast release type of calcium, so feeding the hen both layer feed and egg shells would potentially be too much calcium, and the kidney damage would be the result of the hen having to filter it out through her kidneys.

This is particularly concerning if your hens are already receiving enough calcium from their feed.

Bacterial Contamination Concerns

Another significant reason to avoid feeding egg shells to your chickens is the risk of bacterial contamination. Egg shells can harbor pathogens, particularly if the eggs were dirty or if there were any cracks in the shell. Chickens can become ill if they ingest these bacteria, which can lead to disease outbreaks in your flock. A healthy flock is vital to any chicken keeper's success, so avoiding potential health risks is crucial.

Alternatives to Egg Shells

If you're concerned about your chickens getting enough calcium, there are several safe alternatives to consider. Calcium carbonate supplements, Chick' N Swell Egg is a supplemental product we offer here at the Ranch that is added to their drinking water it promotes a healthy egg shell structure and improves the quality of shells. Crushed oyster shells, and limestone (a nutritionally complete layer feed has limestone which is the calcium in the feed) are all excellent sources and the oyster shells can be provided in a separate feeder. These alternatives offer controlled calcium supplementation without the risks associated with feeding back egg shells and are designed specifically for poultry consumption.

The Importance of A Balanced Diet

Keeping your chickens healthy means providing a balanced diet that meets their specific needs. This includes not just calcium but also protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for their overall well-being. A focus on a complete layer feed will help ensure that your hens are getting what they need without the unnecessary risks associated with feeding them egg shells.

Managing Calcium Sources

Each laying hen requires a different amount of calcium as they are all individuals. A hen that require more would be a hen that lays eggs more frequently or the size of the egg shell would require more calcium.

A laying hen will regulate her own calcium intake by choice of oyster shells. She might take a piece or two before going to roost at night, as that is when the egg shell is being made. Just make the oyster shells available in a separate dish and she will do the rest.

If you believe your laying hens require additional calcium, we offer a supplement to aid in the production of strong eggshells. It should be added to their drinking water one day per week.

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

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Final Thoughts

Feeding your chickens egg shells might seem like an eco-friendly practice, but when you are providing them with a complete layer feed, it's a risk you don't need to take. Not only could it lead to nutritional imbalances and health risks, but it may also encourage unwanted behaviors in your flock. Opt for safer alternatives and remain vigilant about your chickens’ intake of calcium and other essential nutrients. By doing so, you're ensuring their well-being and maximizing egg production.

Taking care of chickens is a rewarding endeavor, and part of that responsibility includes making informed decisions about their nutrition. Understanding the implications of feeding egg shells will help you achieve a healthier flock.

In conclusion, while it might seem a small detail, the decision not to feed chicken egg shells back to your flock is one rooted in ensuring their health. With proper management and a focus on nutritionally complete diets, your chickens will thrive, and in turn, provide you with the best possible results.