How to Feed Eggshells to Laying Hens for Calcium

According to researchers at Mendel University, a hen must deposit 25 mg of calcium on the developing egg surface every 15 minutes during the 20-hour period in which the eggshell is formed. A prolific laying hen producing approximately 300 eggs per year will deposit 24 times more calcium into her eggs' shells than the amount contained in her bones. With research like that, it is not a surprise that laying hens may need supplemental calcium even if they are being fed a nutritionally complete laying feed formula. Eggshells can provide that supplemental calcium.

Things You'll Need

  • Eggshells
  • Chicken feeder
  • Rolling pin or food processor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Collect eggshells from eggs used in the kitchen.

    • 2

      Wash the eggshells with warm water and then let them dry completely.

    • 3

      Crush the eggshells in a food processor or by rolling them with a rolling pin into small particles so the material no longer resembles chicken eggs. If the hens recognize the material as eggshells, they may be inclined to start pecking at their own eggs which can be a difficult behavior to break once it starts.

    • 4

      Make the eggshell available to the chickens in a separate dish or feeder. The height of the feeder should be about the same height as the chickens' backs so there is minimum spillage.