huitre shells are crucial for chickens . If you ’ve been curious about whether or not you should be feeding your chickens oyster shell , this post will explain all of the benefits !
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For as long as I can remember , I have feed my chickens oyster case . My grandpa , who I consider an expert on elevate chickens , always punctuate how crucial it was , and I have personally go through the benefit .
But if you ’re new toraising chickensor even a long - meter crybaby possessor , you may still wonder why your chickens need oyster shells .
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What Is the Benefit of Oyster Shell?
The main benefit ofoyster shellsis that they are an excellent source of calcium .
Chickens , especially layers , need calcium to forge sturdy shell . When hens do n’t get enough calcium , they ’ll start deplumate it from their own bones , which can lead to health effect over time .
By providing huitre shells , you ’re supporting their overall health and egg production and ensuring they ’re in top chassis .
Why Are Oyster Shells Good for Chickens?
Oyster shell are great for chickens because they provide a much - involve calcium boost . Calcium is essential for laying hen , as it helps them produce strong eggshell .
Without enough Ca , crybaby can lay eggs with thin or brittle case , which can easily discover . So , by offering huitre shells , you ’re help ensure your hens lay healthy , potent egg !
add up oyster shells to your hen ’ dieting is extremely important . There are other things you need tofeed your chickenssuch as bed provender for ballock output and saucy herb for extra wellness benefit .
However , providing huitre shell for your hens to eat will ensure optimum hen health and egg production by providing them with a unspoiled provision of calcium .
Below , I ’ll go over the three most authoritative benefits .
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1.) Oyster Shells Produce Strong Eggshells
Nobody wants an testis that give in the nesting loge or simply falls apart when you handle it . So , to ensure that your biddy can lie eggs with potent casing , she demand a diet gamy in calcium .
eggshell are about 95 % calcium , so it ’s no admiration why laying hens demand a calcium supplement .
2.) It Helps Hens Stay Strong and Healthy
When lay hen do not receive enough calcium , their body lead off take away it from their bones . This can then lead to weak and brittle - deboned crybaby .
3.) Oyster Shells Help With Continued Egg Production
If you ’ve noticed that your hens are not lay there are a few ground why , such as she perhaps molting , she may be too young still or getting too onetime , or she demand extra Ca .
Signs of atomic number 20 deficiency in hens include ,
Guide to Feeding Oyster Shells to Your Chickens
First off , only lay hens require additional calcium ; roosters do not . In fact , excess calcium can be harmful to Gallus gallus that do n’t employ the extra atomic number 20 to develop nut .
So , have ’s commence with when to begin feeding oyster shell to your deal .
When to Start Feeding Oyster Shells?
When your hens are approaching laying meter which is anywhere from 18 - 22 weeks of age . Or as shortly as you notice that they ’ve started laying .
How Much Oyster Shell Should I Give My Chickens?
The simple solvent to this question is as much as they call for .
You do n’t need to measure out exact sum of oyster case ; just bring home the bacon it gratuitous - choice . This means bid it in a separate ravisher , and your poulet will take what they need . They ’re pretty upright at regulating their own calcium intake .
It ’s important not to coalesce it directly into their feed , as the chickens who do n’t need additional atomic number 20 ( like cock or non - layer ) might finish up start too much .
Layer provender has a good amount of atomic number 20 , and for some chickens , that will give them plenty . But for others , they ’ll need spare .
So the best thing to do is give them free choice .
Put the huitre shell in its own separate dish or bird feeder and always keep it available . Chickens will never ingurgitate on it , their bodies instinctively know when they need additional calcium and so they ’ll only eat it as call for . Keep it simple and rent them make up one’s mind !
You should be able to observe flaked oyster shells at your local feed depot , but if not , they even selloyster shellson Amazon .
Additional Ways to Provide Calcium for Chickens
You may have hear about other chicken owners feed their own eggshells back to their hens . There are both negative and positives about doing so .
One negative impression is that hen will then attempt to eat their own eggs .
A cocksure is that you ’re being resourceful and still providing a expert source of calcium .
For many years eggshells have been feed in back to their hen to feed and so I do n’t see it as a problem . I trust that practices that have been around for a long sentence tend to be pretty smart .
However , if you decide to feed the eggs scale back to your hens then just make certain that you first wash off the egg yolk , dry them out , and crush them up .
Do n’t just throw an bollock on the ground and let them eat it . Once they start to delight the taste of the eggs they ’ll want to eat their own .
I ’ve had quite a few egg - eating hens over the years so trust me on that one .
List of Calcium-Rich Foods to Feed Your Chickens
Do Oyster Shells Count as Grit for Chickens?
No , oyster shells and grit are two different things , though both are important . huitre shell provides atomic number 20 , whilegrit helps chickens put up their food for thought .
Chickens do n’t have tooth , so they need moxie — small , hard particles like sand or flyspeck rocks — to aid break up down food for thought in their gizzards .
While huitre shells break down easily to liberate atomic number 20 , sand stays in the gastric mill to aid digestion . So , you need to offer both .
Additional Supplements to Add to Your Chicken’s Diet
Grit is another important part of a crybaby ’s diet . Grit is not only for hen but also for all backyard chickens .
Grit and huitre shells are two completely freestanding things and each serve its own design .
Gallus gallus do n’t have teeth so the guts is what aid to damp down their food . After a wimp corrode the grit it settles in its gastric mill and stays there to grind food .
you may determine grit here .
In summary , as long as you ’re supply your chickens with oyster shell , grit , and a good quality layer provender , you ’ll have a healthy flock of chickens and wonderful saucy egg with strong shell .
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