What can be done to prevent chickens from laying eggs with soft shells? Asked by Anda J. Consultation with bird breeder Anna Astiča.
In order for chickens to be healthy and lay high-quality eggs, they must be fed with balanced, complete food. It should contain proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. If the chickens are just starting to lay, the first eggs may be small and soft, but this will pass with time.
Not enough calcium and vitamin D3
Usually, eggs with soft shells show a lack of calcium and vitamin D3. An adult laying hen – from about 18 weeks of age – needs about 4 grams of Ca per day during the laying period. For comparison, a medium-sized egg contains about 2 grams of calcium. The shell contains about 95% calcium. The necessary mineral for this purpose can be obtained from only two sources – from food and, in the worst case, from bones. Especially if the egg is laid every day, the amount of food is usually not enough to form eggshells. Therefore, a chicken has no choice but to eat the minerals stored in the bones.
2024-08-20 21:04:57
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