Urban chickens sometimes make eggs that have weak shells.Eggshells are a primary defense against food-source bacteria and an important indicator of chicken health. Kathy Shea Mormino explains the development of healthy, strong eggs and why a nighttime calcium source is necessary for strong egg development.
. . . while building an eggshell a hen can use and replace the calcium she carries in her bloodstream as many as 100 times.
Source: Chickens, December 4, 2018. Link. Mixing clean, air-dried eggshells into the oyster shells is fine, but eggshells, much like crushed limestone in the feed, are a fast-release source of calcium, which isn’t available to a hen during the most calcium-demanding portion of eggshell production: at night while she’s sleeping.
Large particles of oyster shells serve as a slow-release source of calcium for a hen. They sit in her gizzard, where they are ground up gradually throughout the night for use as the hen needs them.
INSIGHTS: Mormino’s article is informative. Consider providing this article to chicken-raising customers. They’ll appreciate having stronger, safer eggs.,