Shell for chickens: what is the danger of deficiency, composition, how to give

Some people think it's easy to breed laying hens, but it's not. In order for them to grow well, it is necessary to periodically give them calcium. Therefore, it is recommended to figure out in advance how to properly give a shell to chickens.

What is the danger of a lack of minerals in the diet of chickens

Few owners of domestic chickens know how dangerous the lack of minerals in their diet can be. If the birds do not have enough nutrients, they will disrupt the process of digesting food. There are also problems with metabolism and productivity decreases. Some individuals develop cannibalism.In addition, due to an insufficient amount of minerals, the quality of eggs deteriorates, their shell loses its density and becomes brittle.

Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that chickens have enough calcium, as this is the main component that young and adult birds need.

Influence of stern shell

Before you feed chickens with shells, you need to familiarize yourself with their effect on the body:

helps restore calcium balance in the body;
improves the absorption of chicken feed by stimulating the gastrointestinal tract and increasing the amount of gastric juice secreted;
shells contain trace elements that prevent the appearance and development of hermaphroditism;
strengthen the body in chickens that do not absorb vitamin D well;
strengthening the eggshell, which over time becomes many times stronger and stronger;
strengthening the immune system;
improving the general condition and appearance of young layers.

Composition

It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the composition of shells in advance. The main component is calcium, which makes up 40% of the total composition. They also contain a lot of magnesium, which is about 35%.

Poultry farmers compare shells with chalk, as they are similar in composition. However, to feed the chickens, you need twice as much chalk. Therefore, experts advise using shell food. Outwardly, this top dressing resembles light cereals, which has a specific aroma. You can buy it in stores that sell veterinary or agricultural products.

How to give shell rock to chickens

There are a few rules that will help you feed your laying hens properly:

Preparation of compound feed. First, compound feed is prepared, it is poured with heated water. It should soak in the liquid for 20-30 minutes.
Adding shell rock. It is poured into compound feed after soaking. The amount of shell rock added directly depends on the number of birds.
Feeding chickens. The prepared mixture should be given to the bird no more than once a day. Experienced poultry farmers advise doing this in the morning, on an empty stomach.

Could there be an overdose

When feeding chickens, you must follow the recommended dosage and do not exceed the daily allowance. However, sometimes people feed chickens inattentively, which leads to an overdose. It has the following features:

egg shell becomes uneven and thick;
metabolic disorder;
fat accumulation.

When the above symptoms appear, reduce the dosage of shell rock.

Conclusion

Poultry farmers often give their chickens shell food to strengthen their bodies. However, before feeding, you should familiarize yourself with the features of using such top dressing.