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Eggshells can be an excellent supplement to your chickens’ diet, offering a natural source of calcium that can enhance their health and improve egg production. While it might seem odd to feed chickens their own eggshells, when done correctly, it can be highly beneficial.
The Benefits of Eggshells for Chickens
Eggshells are rich in calcium, a vital mineral that plays a key role in producing strong eggshells and maintaining overall health in chickens. Incorporating eggshells into their diet can help your chickens lay more robust eggs and support their bone health.
Related: 11 Uses for Eggshells in Your Garden
How to Prepare Eggshells for Chickens
If you plan to feed eggshells to your chickens, it’s important to prepare them properly.
Start by drying the eggshells thoroughly, then crush them into small, unrecognizable pieces.
This ensures that the chickens won’t associate the crushed shells with their own eggs, which can help prevent them from developing egg-eating habits.
You should never use eggshells without grinding them. Your chickens might not prefer to eat whole eggshells. So, first, grind them so that these shells will not be recognizable.
Using Eggshell Supplements
If you find it difficult to get your chickens to eat crushed eggshells, or if preparing the shells feels too time-consuming, you can use eggshell supplements instead. These supplements are readily available in the market and can be easily mixed with their regular feed or offered separately in the coop.
Whether you feed your chickens crushed eggshells or opt for a supplement, ensuring they receive adequate calcium is vital for their well-being. Doing so will help your chickens stay healthy and lay stronger eggs, contributing to a happier and more productive flock.
