Do you have chickens in your backyard and are wondering if you can feed them egg shells? Egg shells can be a great source of calcium for chickens and provide many benefits.
But before you start feeding egg shells to your chickens, there are a few things you should know.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of feeding egg shells to chickens, how to prepare egg shells for them, what conditions should be met, what types of egg shells are most suitable, how much should be fed, alternatives to egg shells, and precautions to take.
Read on to find out if you can feed your chickens egg shells!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Yes, you can feed chickens egg shells as they are a good source of calcium.
Egg shells should be crushed or ground into a powder before they are fed to the chickens.
Egg shells should also be cleaned and boiled before they are fed to chickens as this will help to kill any potential bacteria.
It is also important to not overfeed egg shells to chickens as too much calcium can cause health problems.
What are the Benefits of Feeding Egg Shells to Chickens?
Feeding egg shells to chickens is a great way to ensure your flock gets the calcium they need to stay healthy and strong.
The calcium from the egg shells helps to strengthen their bones and eggshells, making them more resistant to diseases and better able to withstand the rigors of laying eggs.
Egg shells also provide an excellent source of nutrition for chickens, as they contain a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals.
Additionally, egg shells are a great way to supplement a chickens diet during the winter months, when other food sources may be scarce.
Egg shells are particularly beneficial for older chickens or chickens that are not laying as many eggs as they used to.
The calcium from the egg shells helps to replenish the calcium lost from laying eggs, and can help to improve egg production.
Additionally, the calcium from the egg shells helps to keep chickens bones strong and healthy, reducing the risk of fractures and other bone-related injuries.
Finally, feeding egg shells to chickens is a great way to reduce waste.
Rather than throwing out egg shells, you can feed them to your chickens, providing a healthy and nutritious source of calcium.
This not only helps to cut down on waste, but also helps to save money, as you wont need to buy additional calcium supplements.
How Can Egg Shells be Prepared for Chickens?
Feeding egg shells to chickens can be a great source of calcium for them and help to strengthen their bones and eggshells.
However, it is important to prepare the egg shells correctly before feeding them to chickens.
The first step is to crush the egg shells into small pieces.
This makes them easier to digest and prevents the chickens from eating them whole.
Additionally, it is important to wash and dry the egg shells thoroughly before feeding them to the chickens.
This helps to prevent the spread of bacteria that could make the chickens sick.
After washing and drying the egg shells, they can be crushed into small pieces and added to the chickens’ feed.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your chickens are getting the calcium they need while also avoiding the spread of bacteria.
What Conditions Should be Met Before Feeding Egg Shells to Chickens?
When it comes to feeding egg shells to chickens, it is important to take a few steps to ensure the safety of the chickens and the quality of the eggs they lay.
First, the egg shells should be crushed before being fed to the chickens.
This prevents the chickens from eating the shells whole, which could lead to choking or other digestive issues.
Additionally, the egg shells should be washed and dried before being fed to the chickens.
This is important to prevent the spread of bacteria, which could lead to illness in the chickens.
Finally, it is important to ensure that the egg shells are not contaminated with any other substances, such as pesticides or fertilizers.
If the egg shells have been exposed to these substances, they should not be fed to the chickens.
If these conditions are met, egg shells can be a great source of calcium for chickens.
Calcium is essential for the health and development of chickens, as it helps to strengthen bones and eggshells.
Furthermore, egg shells are a natural and inexpensive way to supplement the chickens’ diets.
By providing egg shells to chickens, you can help them to stay healthy and productive.
What Types of Egg Shells are Most Suitable for Chickens?
When it comes to feeding chickens egg shells, not all egg shells are created equal.
It is important to choose the right type of egg shells to ensure that your chickens are getting the most nutritional benefit from them.
Egg shells from chicken eggs are the most suitable for feeding to chickens, as they are the most nutrient-rich and have the most calcium content.
Duck, goose, and quail eggs are also suitable, but they contain much less calcium than chicken eggs.
Additionally, it is important to note that egg shells from store-bought eggs are not suitable for feeding to chickens, as they are often treated with a variety of chemicals to prevent them from spoiling.
When choosing egg shells for chickens, it is important to look for ones that are free of cracks, scratches, or other signs of damage.
This is because egg shells with cracks or scratches can harbor bacteria, which can be harmful to chickens.
Additionally, it is important to make sure that the egg shells are completely dry, as damp or wet egg shells can also carry bacteria.
Once the egg shells have been chosen, it is important to wash them thoroughly with hot water and a mild detergent before drying them and then crushing them into small pieces.
This will help to ensure that your chickens are getting the most out of the egg shells and that they are not eating any bacteria that could make them sick.
How Much Egg Shell Should be Fed to Chickens?
When it comes to feeding eggshells to chickens, the amount is important to consider.
Generally, chickens will need around 5-10 grams of eggshell powder per day to get enough calcium for healthy bones and eggshells.
However, the exact amount to feed will depend on the size of the flock and the age of the birds.
For example, younger birds may need more calcium than older birds.
Additionally, if chickens are laying eggs regularly, they may need more calcium than chickens that are not laying.
It is also important to note that eggshells should be given to chickens in moderation.
Too much calcium can cause problems for chickens and can lead to kidney stones and other health issues.
For this reason, it is best to only give chickens eggshells a few times a week and to monitor their calcium intake.
Additionally, it is important to make sure the eggshells are crushed properly to prevent chickens from eating the shells whole.
Finally, it is important to make sure the eggshells are washed and dried before being fed to chickens to prevent the spread of bacteria.
What are Some Alternatives to Feeding Egg Shells to Chickens?
If you’re looking for alternatives to feeding egg shells to chickens, there are plenty of options.
For starters, you can provide your chickens with a calcium supplement, such as crushed oyster shells or a calcium-fortified feed.
Another option is to feed your chickens oyster shell grit, which is a form of ground-up shell that chickens can easily digest.
You can also provide your chickens with dark leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, and collard greens, which are also rich in calcium.
Additionally, you can offer your chickens crushed eggshells from other types of birds, such as quail or duck eggs, as these are also a great source of calcium.
Finally, if you don’t want to feed your chickens eggshells at all, you can always provide them with a calcium-fortified feed, which contains all the necessary calcium they need to stay healthy.
What Precautions Should be Taken When Feeding Egg Shells to Chickens?
When it comes to feeding egg shells to chickens, there are a few precautions that should be taken to ensure the health and safety of your flock.
First, it is important to make sure that the egg shells are crushed before being fed to the chickens.
Whole eggshells can pose a choking hazard and can be difficult for chickens to digest.
Additionally, the egg shells should be washed and dried before being fed to the chickens in order to prevent the spread of bacteria.
It is also important to note that egg shells should not be the only source of calcium for chickens, as too much calcium can lead to health issues such as egg binding.
Therefore, it is important to provide chickens with a balanced diet that includes other sources of calcium such as oyster shells or cuttlebone.
Finally, it is important to monitor the chickens and check for any signs of illness or discomfort after feeding them egg shells.
Final Thoughts
Feeding egg shells to chickens is a great way to help them get the calcium they need to build strong bones and eggshells.
Egg shells should always be crushed before feeding, washed and dried to prevent the spread of bacteria, and given in moderation.
With a bit of research and knowledge of the conditions that need to be met, you can successfully feed egg shells to your chickens and provide them with a much needed source of calcium.
So, go ahead and try it out – your chickens will thank you!