Frequently Asked Questions

Name: Oyster Shell for Chickens
Brand: My Happy Hen
Price: 4.29 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

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Struggling with soft or thin eggshells? Oyster shell provides the pure, bioavailable calcium laying hens need to produce strong, quality eggs consistently. Offer free-choice in a separate feeder and let your hens self-regulate their calcium intake based on individual needs. Essential for every laying flock.

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Pure calcium for perfect eggshells every time!

Laying hens have exceptional calcium demands - each egg requires approximately 2 grams of calcium to form a proper shell. Our premium oyster shell provides the rich, bioavailable calcium your layers need to produce strong, quality eggs consistently. The medium-sized particles are perfect for all adult birds and allow natural self-regulation of calcium intake.

Weight: 1.2kg pouch

Wichtigste Vorteile

Strong Eggshell Production - Provides rich, easily-absorbed calcium essential for producing firm, quality eggshells that resist cracking and breakage

Prevents Soft-Shell Problems - Ensures laying hens receive adequate calcium to prevent soft-shelled, thin-shelled, or shell-less eggs caused by deficiency

Healthy Bone Structure - Supports strong skeletal development and prevents calcium depletion from bones during intensive egg production

Natural Self-Regulation - Hens instinctively consume the amount they need based on laying activity, preventing deficiencies without overconsumption

High Bioavailability - Oyster shell calcium is highly digestible and readily absorbed, more effective than many synthetic calcium sources

How to Feed

Offer in a separate feeder or dish, allowing laying hens free-choice access at all times.

Feeding Guide: Provide continuously in a dedicated feeder or sturdy dish separate from regular feed. Laying hens will naturally increase consumption during active egg production and reduce intake during moult or rest periods. One 1.2kg pouch typically lasts a small flock of 4-6 laying hens approximately 6-8 weeks.

Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place. Reseal pouch after use to prevent moisture absorption and maintain palatability.

What Makes It Special?

Oyster shell isn't a luxury - it's an absolute necessity for laying hens. Each egg your hen produces requires approximately 2 grams of calcium, and a productive layer can produce over 300 eggs annually. That's 600+ grams of calcium needed just for eggshells alone, not counting the calcium required for bone health, muscle function, and other physiological processes.

When hens don't receive adequate dietary calcium, their bodies mobilise calcium from their own bones to form eggshells. This skeletal depletion can lead to serious health problems including osteoporosis-like conditions, fragility, and reduced lifespan. Our premium oyster shell prevents this by providing an abundant, highly bioavailable calcium source that hens can access as needed.

What makes oyster shell particularly effective is its gradual dissolution rate. Unlike some calcium sources that release quickly, oyster shell dissolves slowly in the digestive system, providing sustained calcium availability throughout the day and night when shell formation occurs. The medium-sized particles are ideal for adult chickens - large enough to remain in the gizzard temporarily but small enough for comfortable consumption.

Perfect for: All laying hens, preventing soft or thin eggshells, supporting high-production layers, maintaining bone health, preventing calcium deficiency, allowing self-regulated calcium intake

Ingredients

100% Natural Oyster Shell

What Oyster Shell Does

Pure Calcium Source
Oyster shell is nature's perfect calcium supplement for poultry, containing approximately 38% calcium carbonate in a highly bioavailable form. The calcium dissolves gradually in the digestive system, providing sustained availability throughout the 24-hour egg formation cycle. Unlike synthetic calcium sources, oyster shell's natural composition is easily recognised and efficiently absorbed by chickens' bodies.

Eggshell Formation Support
Each eggshell is composed primarily of calcium carbonate. During the 20-hour shell formation process (occurring mainly at night), hens require constant calcium availability. Oyster shell provides this sustained calcium release, ensuring adequate supply during the critical shell calcification period. Without sufficient dietary calcium, hens cannot produce properly-formed eggshells regardless of other nutritional factors.

Bone Health & Skeletal Support
Laying hens mobilise calcium from their skeletal structure when dietary calcium is insufficient. This process, called skeletal demineralisation, can lead to fragile bones, increased fracture risk, and reduced longevity. Adequate oyster shell supplementation prevents this skeletal depletion by providing abundant dietary calcium, allowing hens to maintain strong bone structure whilst producing quality eggs.

Muscle Function & Physiological Processes
Beyond eggshells and bones, calcium is essential for proper muscle contraction, blood clotting, nerve function, and cellular processes. Adequate calcium availability supports overall health and vitality, not just egg production.

Self-Regulation Mechanism
Laying hens possess remarkable ability to regulate calcium intake according to individual needs. Active layers consume significantly more oyster shell than non-layers or moulting birds. This innate self-regulation ensures each hen receives appropriate calcium without risk of overconsumption, making free-choice availability both safe and optimal.

Supportive Health Functions

Strong Eggshell Production
Regular access to oyster shell ensures laying hens produce firm, quality eggshells with proper thickness and strength. Prevents soft-shelled eggs, thin shells, ridged shells, and shell-less eggs - all indicators of calcium deficiency that reduce egg quality and economic value.

Prevention of Skeletal Depletion
Adequate oyster shell availability prevents hens from depleting calcium reserves from their own bones. Maintains strong skeletal structure throughout productive life, reducing fracture risk and supporting longevity.

Optimal Laying Performance
Calcium deficiency can cause hens to reduce or cease laying entirely as the body prioritises survival over reproduction. Consistent oyster shell access supports sustained laying performance and productivity.

Reduced Egg Breakage & Losses
Strong eggshells resist cracking during laying, collection, and handling. Reduces economic losses from broken eggs whilst protecting developing embryos in fertile eggs.

Overall Health & Wellbeing
Adequate calcium supports numerous physiological functions beyond egg production. Proper calcium levels contribute to healthy muscle function, nerve transmission, and cellular processes essential for overall vitality.

Why do laying hens need oyster shell?

Laying hens have extraordinary calcium demands - each egg requires approximately 2g of calcium, and productive layers can produce 300+ eggs annually. Without adequate dietary calcium, hens cannot form proper eggshells and will deplete calcium from their own bones, causing serious health problems.

Should I mix oyster shell into their feed?

No, always offer oyster shell separately in a dedicated feeder or dish. Laying hens need significantly more calcium than roosters or non-laying birds. Separate feeding allows each bird to self-regulate intake according to individual needs, preventing overconsumption in non-layers whilst ensuring adequate intake in active layers.

How much oyster shell will my hens eat?

Consumption varies based on laying activity. Active layers typically consume 4-5g daily, whilst non-layers or moulting birds may consume very little. This natural variation is why free-choice availability is essential - hens instinctively know what they need.

My hens lay soft or thin-shelled eggs. Will oyster shell help?

Yes, soft or thin shells typically indicate calcium deficiency. Ensure fresh oyster shell is constantly available in a separate feeder. If problems persist despite adequate access, consult a veterinarian as it may indicate health issues affecting calcium absorption.

Can I use oyster shell instead of grit?

No, they serve different purposes. Oyster shell provides calcium and dissolves in the digestive system. Grit (flint grit) remains in the gizzard to mechanically grind food and is essential for digestion. Layers need both - consider our Mixed Grit product which combines both.

Do free-range chickens still need oyster shell?

Absolutely! Whilst free-range hens may find some natural calcium sources, they cannot consistently access sufficient quantities to meet laying demands. Always provide supplemental oyster shell to ensure adequate calcium intake.

Will roosters or non-laying hens eat oyster shell?

They may sample it occasionally, but typically consume very little since their calcium requirements are much lower. This is normal and not wasteful - the product is there primarily for your layers who need it.

Can I give this to chicks or young birds?

Chicks and growers have different nutritional needs met by their starter/grower feed. Introduce oyster shell when pullets approach point-of-lay (around 16-18 weeks) or when you notice their first eggs.

My chickens completely ignore the oyster shell. Is this normal?

If laying hens completely ignore oyster shell and produce normal eggs, their base diet may provide adequate calcium. However, most layers do consume some. If ignored AND you're experiencing shell problems, check that the shell is fresh, dry, and palatable, or consult a veterinarian.

How should I store oyster shell?

Keep in a cool, dry place with the pouch resealed after use. Moisture can cause clumping and reduces palatability. Properly stored oyster shell remains effective indefinitely as it's a natural mineral.

What if my hens eat too much oyster shell?

Overconsumption is extremely rare as chickens naturally self-regulate calcium intake. The body excretes excess calcium, and the gizzard can only hold limited amounts. Free-choice availability is safe.

Can ducks use oyster shell?

Yes, laying ducks also require supplemental calcium for egg production. Oyster shell is suitable for all egg-laying poultry species.

Why is oyster shell better than crushed eggshells?

Whilst crushed eggshells provide calcium, oyster shell offers consistent particle size, guaranteed quality, and doesn't risk encouraging egg-eating behaviour. Oyster shell is the gold standard for poultry calcium supplementation.

Is this organic?

Oyster shell is a naturally-occurring marine product. Whilst not certified organic, it's a natural, unprocessed material suitable for organic poultry keeping.

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