Can chickens eat egg shells? YES! But a word of caution -- this can create egg eaters. Keep reading and I'll explain the pros and cons of feeding eggshells to chickens and how to do it without causing issues down the road.
Our flock (currently) consists of 15 laying hens and one rooster. As I'm writing this, we are in the heat of summer and our all of our hens are pretty much laying an egg every day.
I am feeding them a complete chicken feed that contains all of the nutrients they need, plus they get nutrients from free-ranging, kitchen scraps and any unfortunate bugs that happen to hop into the coop.
Even with all of these different ways my backyard chickens are getting fed, I still choose to use the simple method of feeding them a slow-release source of calcium that they created all by themselves-- eggshells!
While it might seem counterintuitive, feeding chickens their own eggshells can actually be beneficial. It's like nature's way of recycling! But, as with anything, there are a few things to keep in mind. Let’s break it down.
Believe it or not, this is actually quite a controversial topic. Eggshell production requires additional calcium, and wouldn't you know it, our very own chickens are creating a consistent supply of calcium just by doing what they do!
Keep reading to learn the benefits of feeding eggshells to your chickens for stronger eggs and improved health. I'll teach you how to properly prepare and offer eggshells to your flock. Boost your chickens' nutrition naturally with this simple yet effective practice! Use the helpful jump-to tool below to skip right to the parts you need!
Jump to:
- Benefits of Feeding Egg Shells to Chickens
- Signs Your Hens Need More Calcium
- Why Young Chickens Need Less Calcium
- Pros of Feeding Chickens Eggshells
- Cons and Considerations
- Does Feeding Eggshells to Chickens Cause Egg Eating?
- Preparing Eggshells for Your Chickens
- Storing Crushed Eggshells for Your Chickens
- FAQ
- Related Posts
- More chicken posts
- What's New on the Homestead
- Comments
Benefits of Feeding Egg Shells to Chickens
- Natural Calcium Boost: Eggshells are a rich source of calcium, a crucial nutrient for strong egg production. By feeding your chickens crushed eggshells, you're providing them with a natural and readily available calcium supplement.
- Reduced Waste: Recycling eggshells back into your chicken's diet helps reduce kitchen waste and promotes a more sustainable approach to backyard chicken keeping.
- Improved Egg Quality: Consistent calcium intake can contribute to healthier, strong eggshells, reducing the risk of cracked or thin-shelled eggs.
Signs Your Hens Need More Calcium
Calcium is essential for strong eggshells, so it's crucial to monitor your hens for signs of deficiency. Watch for these indicators:
- Thin-shelled or soft-shelled eggs: Deformed or soft shells are the most obvious sign of calcium deficiency.
- Reduced Egg Production: A decline in egg-laying can be a symptom of calcium insufficiency.
- Egg-Eating Behavior: In severe cases, hens may resort to eating their own eggshells to compensate for calcium needs.
- Lethargy or Weakness: Extreme calcium deficiency can lead to general weakness and lethargy in your laying hen.
Why Young Chickens Need Less Calcium
Young chickens, or pullets, have different nutritional needs than laying hens. A pullet is a chicken that is less than (about) 20 weeks old, and is not laying eggs yet. If you are raising chickens from baby chicks, you will begin feeding them a feed called chick starter, followed by chicken grower and finally chicken layer feed once they reach maturity. These young hens aren't yet prone to some of the health issues the average backyard layer chicken faces. Here's why!
- Their primary focus is on growth and development rather than egg production.
- The calcium in their diet is primarily used for bone development and overall growth.
- Since they aren't producing eggs, their calcium requirements are significantly lower.
Pros of Feeding Chickens Eggshells
- Eggshells are a rich source of calcium, essential for strong egg production.
- Recycling eggshells back into the chicken's diet promotes sustainability.
- Getting enough calcium into your backyard chickens usually requires adding supplemental calcium, such as buying a bag of oyster shells and providing it free choice in a separate dish. This method saves money!
Cons and Considerations
- While beneficial, eggshells alone might not provide sufficient calcium. Offer a balanced diet with commercial feed and other calcium sources like oyster shell grit.
- Improperly prepared eggshells can harbor bacteria, so ensure thorough cleaning and drying before feeding.
- Not all chickens may readily consume eggshells. Introduce them gradually and observe your flock's behavior.
- Some believe that feeding eggshells can increase the likelihood of chickens developing egg-eating habits. There are lots of different opinions about this!
Does Feeding Eggshells to Chickens Cause Egg Eating?
Okay, friend. This is 100% just my opinion as a person who has had backyard chickens for a really long time. I have personally noticed that if my hen's feed isn't providing enough calcium, one or two of my hens will go searching for it in the nesting box.
If we have a big problem like this pop up, the first thing I do is deep clean the nesting box. I remove any bits of nesting pads that may have remnants of egg yolks or shells. I replace the bedding and add a fake egg or two. Fake eggs can be purchased at most feed stores, or you can use a golfball.
The idea is that the hen will peck the fake egg and when it doesn't break and give her a delicious reward, or possibly even make her beak sore, she'll eventually give up.
I also begin removing eggs as fast as I possibly can, checking the nesting box several times throughout the day. The less time my chicken flock has to try eating the whole egg, the better!
Finally, if none of these things work, I will physically remove the hen from our flock. Chicken keepers know this isn't something we take lightly-- we love our little feathered friends! Maybe a short break in her own space will stop the behavior, but if not, she may need to be culled.
Preparing Eggshells for Your Chickens
To ensure your chickens safely benefit from eggshells, follow these steps:
- Wash eggshells in warm, soapy water to remove any residual egg matter if your eggs are visibly dirty or soiled.
- Allow eggshells to air dry completely to prevent mold growth. I like to bake them at 200F for about 25 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Break down eggshells into smaller pieces. You can use a rolling pin, food processor, coffee grinder or even your hands. For optimal digestion, aim for a size similar to grit. I strongly advise crushing into the tiniest pieces possible, or grinding the shells into a powder.
- Start by offering a small amount of crushed eggshells to your chickens and monitor their consumption, rather than mixing the shells directly into their feed.
- Offer eggshells in a separate container or hopper, preventing them from mixing with feed and creating waste.
Storing Crushed Eggshells for Your Chickens
- Store crushed eggshells in a clean, airtight container to prevent moisture and contamination.
- Keep the container in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
- Periodically check the stored eggshells for any signs of mold or pests. Discard any contaminated shells.
FAQ
While it might seem counterintuitive, it's best to avoid feeding your chickens store-bought eggshells. These eggs could contain harmful bacteria or medications that can negatively impact your flock's health.
Offer crushed eggshells as a supplement to their regular diet, but don't rely solely on them for calcium. Provide a variety of calcium sources, such as oyster shell grit.
Thoroughly clean and dry eggshells before crushing them. Aim for a consistency similar to grit. You can crush them by hand, using a rolling pin, or a food processor.
There's a lot of controversy that feeding chickens eggshells can lead to egg-eating behavior. However, proper management, such as providing ample nesting space and regular egg collection, is crucial to prevent this issue.
Oyster shell grit is the most common calcium supplement for chickens. It's readily available and easily digestible.
Related Posts
When I'm swimming in eggs, like now, I always preserve some for the months when my flock is molting and we aren't getting eggs. The cheapest and easiest method is Water Glassing, and it involves submerging fresh eggs in a water and lime solution for up to about a year.
My favorite method is Freeze Drying Eggs. My medium Harvest Right freeze dryer holds 72 eggs in one load! After the moisture is removed, all of these eggs fit in just two mylar bags or 4 quart-sized mason jars. Once I've put up my eggs, I make Egg Shell Compost for Plants by grinding the shells into a garden-ready powder!
I also have some short and easy to read posts about Best Chickens for Eggs, How Much Space do Chickens Need, How Long do Chicks Need a Heat Lamp,
Read all of my chicken posts here!
Get my Free Guide for Raising Chicks E-Book and learn everything you need to know to get started on your backyard chicken journey!
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- Megs don't like seeing process shots cluttering up the recipe card, so include your process shots here.
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