There is a lot of debate over whether or not chickens should be eating eggshells. Some people think that it’s a good idea, while others think that it’s not a good idea at all.
In this blog post, we’re going to explore both sides of the eggshell-eating controversy. We’re going to look at whether or not chickens should be eating eggshells, and then see if there is any evidence to support the idea that they do.
Can Chickens Egg Shells?
Chickens can eat eggshells, as long as they are crushed up into a fine powder or small pieces.
Make sure that the shells are fully cooked and free of dirt and germs before you give them to your chicken, or you could make your chicken sick!
The shell is made up of calcium carbonate, which is helpful for chickens because it helps them to produce strong eggs with harder shells. The eggshell also helps chickens develop strong bones.
Is It a Good Idea For Chickens To Eat Eggshells?
There is a lot of debate about whether or not chickens should be given eggshells. Some people think that giving chickens their own shells is like cannibalism.
However, in the wild, chickens would eat the shells of other birds’ eggs as well as their own.
If you’re afraid your chickens may start to eat their own eggs, crush the eggshells into pieces first.
Is It Healthy For Chickens To Eat Eggshells?
Yes, it is healthy for chickens to eat eggshells.
Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate, which is the same material that makes up your chickens’ bones and eggs. A chicken’s body needs to absorb this material for its eggshells and bones to remain strong. So, yes, it is completely healthy for your chickens to eat eggshells.
In fact, if you have a hen or rooster whose shell is thinning or cracking, you can actually feed them eggshells to help strengthen their shells and bones. You can also crush them up and mix them into your chickens’ food, or just let them eat the broken shell when they crack an egg (just make sure you clean it first).
Can Baby Chickens Eat Eggshells?
If you have baby chickens, you might be wondering if it’s safe to feed them eggshells. The short answer? Yes! There are many benefits to feeding your baby chickens eggshells, and there is little room for error.
Eggshells give baby chickens all the nutrients they need, including phosphorus and calcium. They also help with digestion, since the shells are made of a material similar to what chicken intestines are made of—which means that eggshells are just easier for them to process than other foods.
Eggshells can be crumbled up and fed to chicks as soon as they hatch, but it’s also fine (and sometimes even preferable) to wait until the chicks are at least three weeks old before introducing eggshells into their diet.
How Do You Prepare Eggshells For Your Chickens
Eggshells are a great way to supplement your chickens’ diet with added calcium and make their eggshell more durable.
There are several different ways you can prepare eggshells for your chickens, but there are two main considerations: safety and ease of eating.
The first thing to consider is whether or not you want to crush the eggshells. Crushed eggshells have a much higher absorption rate than whole ones, so if that’s important to you, you might consider crushing them up. The easiest way to do this is by using a hand-held coffee grinder or by baking them at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, then letting them cool and crushing them with a rolling pin or heavy pan on top of a cutting board.
But many people prefer to leave their eggshells whole because they’re easier for the chickens to eat that way. If you go this route, be sure to wash them with soap and water before feeding them, as bacteria like salmonella can live on the shell residue that doesn’t get washed away in the sink.
Either way, it’s best if you offer your chickens the shells after they’ve eaten all they want—that way they’re not tempted to eat only the shells instead of their actual food.
How Often Should You Feed Your Chickens Eggshells?
Well, it depends.
If you’ve got a flock of chickens that are free-range and have access to plenty of bugs, then you shouldn’t need to feed them eggshells at all. They get plenty of calcium from their diet as it is.
If they’re confined to a coop or aren’t often in a position where they can eat insects, then you should give them crushed eggshells once per week. Just crush the eggshells and toss them into their food.
Conclusion
Chickens can eat eggshells. The eggshell provides calcium and other minerals that they need to develop healthy bones and feathers. It’s not uncommon at all to feed eggshells to chickens, but be sure to break them up in a food processor or something before offering them to your chickens.
