Egg-laying hens get their calcium from oyster shells.Most feed stores have ground shells for sale.You can bake fresh shells if you use a food processor or a blunt object.Provide a separate feed bowl full of oyster shells for your chickens to eat.Wait for your chickens to lay eggs.
Step 1: Purchase oyster shells.
You can buy bags of oyster shells at feed stores.Pre-ground shells save a lot of work.Whole and ground shells can be obtained from a number of locations.It is possible to order online.Shells at feed stores are usually cooked before you buy them.They are often raw at grocery stores and restaurants.You can get used oyster shells from restaurants.Introduce yourself to owners by saying, "I live nearby and I could use your oyster shells for my chickens."Is it possible to work out a deal?
Step 2: For 10 minutes, bake raw oyster shells.
The shells should be placed on a baking sheet.If you run out of room, hit the shells with a hammer.When the shells are arranged, preheat the oven to 250 F and let them bake for 10 minutes.Baking leaves no mold on the shells.It is better to be safe than sorry, since raw shells don't cause harm to the chickens.Baking makes it easier to crack shells.
Step 3: The shells should be put into a bag.
The chickens have an easier time eating oyster shells if you break them up first.Load the shells into an old sack, pillowcase, or feed bag.These are the safest ways to hold the shells.Tie the sack shut.
Step 4: The shells can be smashed with a hammer.
The sack should be brought to a spot that won't be damaged by hammering.If you want to strike the sack with a hammer, lay it flat.The shells should be broken until they are the size of your fingernails.Smaller shells are easier for a chicken to pick up with its beak.You can crush the shells by driving over the bag.
Step 5: If you want to grind the shells into a powder, use a food processor.
An old food processor can be plugged in.Turn on the machine to break down the shell fragments.There are a number of ways in which the powder can be fed to your chickens.If you do not want to make powder, you don't have to.Chickens can eat fragments or whole shells.Chickens have to peck at the shells to break them if they are large.
Step 6: At 18 weeks of age, feed oyster shells to hens.
Egg-laying hens only get oyster shells and other calcium boosters.Purchase oyster shells when the hens are 18 weeks old.The shells should be set out in an accessible location.The hens should start laying eggs in a few weeks.Chickens are not at risk of consuming too much calcium.They wont eat it if they don't need it.It will not be an issue if you don't add it to the food or water.Feeding hens younger than 18 weeks can cause damage to the kidneys.When they lay eggs, they only need calcium.
Step 7: The shells should be put in a feed container.
The shells should never be added to the feed.Set a dish in the barn.The bowl should have shell powder or fragments.When your chickens need more calcium, they'll eat from the bowl.Younger chickens and roosters will avoid it.There is a way to keep the shells available.The chickens gather on the wall.There is a chance you could sprinkle some powder on the floor.You may not be able to monitor how much they eat because they will discover it on their own.
Step 8: Oyster shells are provided year-round.
If you don't get eggs from your chickens during part of the year, you should stock the bowl or feeders.The huns benefit from the calcium.It prepares them to lay more eggs later in the year.They will eat some if they need it.
Step 9: If your hens break their eggs, give them more oyster shells.
Thin-shelled eggs are the most obvious sign of calcium deficiency.If you notice eggs breaking in your hands, it may be because you don't have enough calcium.As needed, set out more shells.Place them where the chickens can find them.There are rough spots on the shell.Chicken's eggs should look like they are in a grocery store.Calcium is contained in commercial-grade feed.This is usually enough, but not always.Chickens may need the extra calcium source.