Madeleine Hull
Laying hens require a lot of calcium in their diet to produce strong eggshells. An eggshell is made of around 90% calcium, which equates to about 2 grams of calcium per egg. If a hen is laying an egg every day, she needs a lot of calcium to make a strong eggshell every 24 hours. Calcium is also needed throughout the body for various other functions, such as controlling muscle spasms during the laying process, triggering hormone production, maintaining a healthy nervous system, optimising the chicken's pH levels, and controlling heart rate. Therefore, it is important to ensure that laying hens receive an abundant amount of calcium in their diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for calcium in laying hens' diet | Calcium is an essential nutrient for egg production and overall health. |
| Calcium requirement | An adult laying hen needs 4-5 grams of calcium daily. |
| Calcium sources | Calcium can be sourced from ground or crushed oyster shells, chicken feed, or supplements. |
| Calcium deficiency | A calcium deficiency can lead to thin and brittle eggshells, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of bone fractures. |
| Calcium excess | Excess calcium can lead to kidney damage and even death. |
| Balancing calcium | The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is critical. Vitamin D3 is necessary for calcium absorption. |
| Environmental factors | Summer months and warm weather can affect calcium levels due to changes in eating habits and increased panting. |
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What You'll Learn
Calcium is needed for strong eggshells
Calcium is one of the most essential nutrients for chickens, and it is critical for egg production and overall health. An eggshell is made of around 90% calcium carbonate, which is embedded in a protein matrix that determines the strength of the egg. The calcium in the bone is bound to phosphate. If a hen is laying an egg every other day, she needs a lot of calcium to make a strong, sturdy eggshell every 48 hours.
An adult laying hen needs approximately 4 to 5 grams of calcium daily to meet what her body needs and also make a strong eggshell. Beginning at around 20 weeks of age, feeding a commercially prepared layer feed will generally meet this requirement, as well as providing tiny amounts of other micronutrients that are also needed to produce eggs. Phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D3 are all necessary for shell formation. The average hen eats about 4 ounces of feed per day, so a feed with 4% calcium should meet the calcium requirements for the average hen in lay.
Young adult laying hens, called pullets, need less calcium than fully grown adults. Pullets require 2.75 grams of calcium daily. Adult laying hens, older than one year, need 4-5 grams of calcium daily. Correct calcium levels in hens mean they don't have to deplete their bones of calcium to make eggshells.
To prevent potential calcium deficiencies, there are a few summer practices that can be implemented to help hens get the calcium they need. These include adding electrolytes to the flock's water, offering nutrient-dense, calcium-rich snacks, implementing measures to keep hens cool to prevent panting, and encouraging hens to eat most of their food in the morning or evening when temperatures are coolest.
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Calcium supports overall health
Calcium is one of the most essential nutrients for the overall health of chickens. Laying hens, in particular, need a lot of calcium in their diet. An eggshell is made of around 90% calcium, so a laying hen needs a lot of calcium to make a strong, sturdy eggshell every time she lays an egg.
If a hen's diet does not contain enough calcium, she may produce eggs with thin and brittle shells. If the calcium deficiency progresses, she may stop laying eggs altogether, as the valuable calcium carbonate will be used for essential bodily functions. Laying hens are especially 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, and a high risk of bone fractures.
Calcium also has many other functions in a chicken's overall health. It controls muscle spasms during the laying process, making it easier for eggs to be laid. It also triggers hormone production, ensuring a healthy reproduction system, which is essential for laying eggs and hatching chicks. Calcium can assist with blood clotting, maintain a healthy nervous system, improve digestive health, aid bone growth and development, optimize the chicken's pH levels, control heart rate, and help with the absorption of other essential minerals such as phosphorus.
To ensure that your laying hens are getting enough calcium, it is important to provide them with a varied diet rich in calcium. You can also offer calcium supplements, such as ground or crushed oyster shells, which are a good source of calcium for chickens. In addition, vitamin D3 is necessary for chickens to absorb and use calcium effectively, so it is important to ensure that your chickens are getting enough vitamin D3 from their diet.
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Calcium deficiency can cause bone damage
Calcium is an essential nutrient for laying hens, and a deficiency can lead to severe bone damage. Laying hens require a significant amount of calcium in their diet to produce strong eggshells. An eggshell is made of approximately 90% calcium, and if a hen is laying an egg every day, she needs a lot of calcium to create a sturdy eggshell.
When there is a calcium deficiency, a hen's body will start to take calcium from her bones to meet the demands of egg production. This can lead to osteoporosis and a high risk of bone fractures. The hen may also become unwilling to stand due to weak leg bones.
To prevent calcium deficiencies, it is important to provide a varied diet rich in calcium. This can include calcium supplements, such as ground or crushed oyster shells, or calcium-rich snacks like grubs.
Additionally, it is crucial to manage the calcium needs of laying hens under certain circumstances. For example, during the summer months, hens may eat less due to the heat, and their bodies' increased pH levels will require more calcium to rebalance. Implementing practices to keep hens cool and offering calcium-rich snacks can help prevent potential calcium deficiencies during this time.
While calcium is essential for bone health in laying hens, it is important to note that too much calcium can also be detrimental. Excess calcium in the diet can lead to hypercalcemia, which causes damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Therefore, it is crucial to provide a balanced diet and manage calcium supplementation appropriately.
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Calcium requirements vary by age
Calcium is an essential nutrient for chickens, aiding their overall health and egg production. An eggshell is made of around 90% calcium, so a laying hen needs a lot of calcium to make a strong, sturdy eggshell.
Pullets
Young adult laying hens, or pullets, need less calcium than fully grown adults. Pullets require 2.75 grams of calcium daily. Never feed extra calcium to birds under the age of 18 weeks, and never feed them layer feed. The recommended level for calcium is 1% or below for these birds.
Adult laying hens
An adult laying hen (over the age of 18 weeks) needs between 4-5 grams of calcium per day. Adult laying hens, older than one year, need 4-5 grams of calcium daily. A modern laying hen producing eggs in long "clutches" has to utilise the reservoir of bones almost daily, compromising long-term bone stability and increasing the risk of bone fractures.
Older hens
Older hens need more calcium since their medullary bones have been repeatedly depleted for longer.
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Calcium supplements can help
Supplementing with calcium helps prevent calcium deficiencies and maintains bone health in laying hens. When calcium intake is insufficient, a hen's body may start drawing calcium from its bones, compromising long-term bone stability and increasing the risk of severe bone damage, osteoporosis, and fractures. By providing calcium supplements, you can ensure that hens meet their calcium requirements without depleting their bone calcium reserves.
Additionally, calcium plays a crucial role in various bodily functions beyond egg production. It helps control muscle spasms, triggers hormone production for a healthy reproduction system, assists with blood clotting, maintains a healthy nervous system, improves digestive health, and aids in bone growth and development. Calcium also helps optimize the chicken's pH levels, control heart rate, and enhance the absorption of other essential minerals like phosphorus.
While calcium supplements are beneficial, it is important to provide them alongside other essential nutrients like phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D3. These nutrients work together with calcium to support overall health and egg production. For example, vitamin D3 is necessary for the absorption and utilization of calcium in the body. Therefore, a well-rounded approach to nutrition, including calcium supplements, will help ensure the overall health and productivity of your laying hens.
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Frequently asked questions
Calcium is an essential nutrient that helps hens lay well and stay healthy. An eggshell is made of around 90% calcium, so a laying hen needs a lot of calcium to make a strong, sturdy eggshell.
An adult laying hen needs approximately 4 to 5 grams of calcium per day to meet her body's needs and make a strong eggshell.
Vitamin D3 is necessary for hens to absorb and use calcium effectively. Age is also a factor, as older hens need more calcium since their medullary bones have been repeatedly depleted for longer.
Calcium supplements for laying hens include ground or crushed oyster shells, chicken starter feed, chicken grower feed, adult layer feed, liquid calcium, and lime.
