Calcium for Chickens: What You Need To Know About Supplementation
Calcium is one of the most essential nutrients chickens need for overall health and egg production. Your chickens get all of their calcium from their food, so a varied diet rich in calcium is essential for the health of your flock. Let’s dive into calcium for chickens: why they need it, what happens if they’re deficient, and what to do if your chickens need calcium.
The Importance of Calcium for Chickens
While calcium is essential for all chickens, laying hens need abundant calcium. Without enough calcium, egg shells will be thin and brittle. If calcium deficiency progresses, your hens may stop laying, so the valuable calcium carbonate can be used for essential bodily functions. Laying hens, mainly, are susceptible to severe bone damage from calcium deficiency since their bodies prioritize making eggs over bone health.
Other signs of calcium deficiency in chickens include:
- Osteoporosis
- Egg binding
- High risk of bone fractures
However, like many nutrients, balance is also essential. Giving your chickens too much calcium can cause problems. Chicks and roosters are more prone to taking too much calcium, which can cause kidney damage. Educating yourself before supplementing calcium is necessary to give your flock the right amount.
The Science Behind Calcium for Chickens
If you’ve ever looked at an overflowing basket of eggs, it’s easy to imagine why laying hens require so much calcium. Calcium is a primary ingredient in eggshells; each eggshell is made with 2 grams of calcium. So, not only is calcium supplementation essential, it must be regular as well for continuous egg production. Like any mother, a hen’s body will start to take calcium from bones and organs to keep up with the calcium demands of egg production.
Factors that influence calcium absorption in chickens:
- The hen’s age
- Her overall health
- Adequate vitamin D3
Without Vitamin D3, your chickens won’t be able to absorb and use calcium effectively. So, ensuring your chickens are getting plenty of vitamin D3 from their diet is also vital. If your chicken is in poor health, it may be more challenging for the body to absorb nutrients efficiently. It’s the same with age; as any animal ages, natural functions may need more support.
What To Give Chickens for Calcium
Here are some popular options for adding calcium to your chickens’ diet:
- Oyster shells offer an affordable, slow-released source of calcium.
- Limestone grit is an exceptional source of calcium. Similar to oyster shells, limestone grit is easily absorbable.
- Eggshells are an efficient source of calcium but require thorough drying and crushing. Shells with moisture can harbor bacteria, while feeding large pieces of egg shells can teach egg-eating habits to your hens.
- Calcium-rich feeds are a solid baseline for maintaining calcium levels. Formulated by professionals, calcium-rich chicken feed is a convenient and safe option.
Is My Chicken Calcium Deficient?
Calcium deficiency in chickens manifests in a few different ways; here are some common signs:
- Thin or soft eggshells are a clear sign of calcium deficiency.
- Reduced egg production is another first sign of low calcium in chickens.
- More severe calcium deficiencies could cause weakness or lethargy.
- Skeletal issues, like bone fractures, are severe symptoms of calcium deficiency.
Is My Chicken Getting Too Much Calcium?
There’s never too much of a good thing, right? Unfortunately, too much calcium in your chickens’ diet can cause serious health issues. Given laying hens' higher need for calcium, roosters and chicks are more prone to taking too much calcium.
- Kidney damage is possible from excess calcium, as the kidneys work overtime to process the mineral.
- Stunted growth in chicks is also a sign of too much calcium. For nutritional balance, chicks need specialized feed.
Our Henhouse Reserve® is a great option for your flock. It contains multiple, independent sources of calcium, allowing roosters to regulate their consumption, and provides your hens with all the calcium they need to produce eggs.
How Much Calcium Do Chicks Need?
Chicks have different calcium needs than adult chickens. Starter chicken feeds, with 0.8% to 1% calcium, are ideal for growing healthy chicks and are designed to give them the perfect amount of calcium. At 16 weeks of age, you can begin giving your hens layer feed. Give yourself peace of mind regarding your chickens’ nutrition at any age with premium, nutritionally balanced chicken feed from Kalmbach Feeds.
