An eggshell is 94 percent calcium carbonate. A calcium deficiency can show up in many different forms. Maybe its a shell-less egg, or an egg with merely a thin shell.

However, even healthy hens need calcium supplements. A hen's calcium requirements rise as she gets older, or as the weather heats up.

So how do you give your layer chickens calcium?

You can use limestone or ground oyster shell (offered free choice in a separate feed hopper), and Vitamin A, D, and E powder added to your chickens' water every other day of the week.

Some hobbyists also wash, dry, and finely crush old egg shells and feed them back to the hens.

You can give the oyster shell or limestone grit in a dish and let the chickens peck at it whenever they need it. poultryOne forum member Heidicat says "...a bowl, or a pet self feeder works just fine for the grit. [Use] Oyster shell after you see the first egg. I picked up a couple of self feeders for cats, at a garage sale, and cut the bottoms bigger to let the grit and shell flow easier. Put them up on a cement block, to keep them clean, and it has worked for years now."

For more help about raising chickens successfully, visit our free poultry message boards.

poultryOne Reader Comments:

"Thanks, concise and easy to digest tips." - Helen

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