In the diet of chickens there are a variety of food, but the most amazing thing is that these birds are happy to eat the shell of their own eggs, sometimes pecking them right in the nest.
Experienced poultry farmers in such cases say about the lack of calcium in the body of birds, but whether it can be replenished in this way - let's find out.
Can the hens be given eggshells?
Properly prepared eggshell will be equally useful for both young and laying hens, because it has just a lot of useful properties. The main ones include the following:
- the shell of an egg is a storehouse of micro- and macronutrients, among which magnesium is in the first place, followed by another 30 easily digestible minerals;
- together with the shell, a large amount of calcium gets into the bird's body, with the assimilation of which there are absolutely no problems;
- with regular consumption improves the appearance of birds, claws and beak strengthened;
- new eggshell becomes much thicker, which means that birds will not be able to accidentally crush them;
- when feeding young chickens and grown chickens, one does not need to worry about the strength of their bone system, as well as the possibility of developing rickets.
Did you know? To keep eggs in the refrigerator as long as possible, when placing it is better to turn them with a pointed end down.
How to give eggs to chickens
Most of the calcium is spent from the body of the laying hens, as it is needed to build the eggshells shell.
To compensate for the loss of one hen, 3.5 g of a substance per day is sufficient, while for chickens or males this value ranges from 1.1 to 1.3 g. In percentage terms, the share of eggshell (as well as other sources of calcium) should be about 5% of the total amount of feed given to the bird.
It is undesirable for chickens to be fed from bowls or from the ground. We advise you to make poultry feeders for poultry: bunker, automatic or PVC pipe feeder.
Of course, before using it, it is necessary to prepare it properly, rinsing well and calcining in the oven for about five minutes at a temperature of 100 ° C. Dried shells are crushed to a state of flour (a coffee grinder can be used), and then added to the food produced by the birds, stirring well. 
As an alternative, you can simply pour the dressing in a separate container so that the birds themselves take as many nutrients as their bodies require.
Important! When harvesting the shells, it is recommended to thoroughly clean it of protein residues and the inner film, otherwise it may deteriorate and start to stink.
Contraindications and harm
An excess of calcium in the body is just as undesirable as its shortage, therefore, when giving crushed egg shells to chickens, it is worth adhering to this norm. Excessive concentration of this element in the avian organism can provoke a violation of the passage of nerve impulses in muscle fibers or the appearance of stones in individual organs. Therefore, when using the shell will have to limit the intake of calcium from other sources. 
What else can feed chickens
Chickens can eat almost all the food debris from your table, but to avoid disturbances in the digestion of birds, you need to know what and how much to use for food. Consider the most popular options for such food.
In winter, chickens do not have enough greenery. In order to balance their diet in the cold season, we advise you to feed the birds with wheat germ.
Potatoes
Potatoes will be very appropriate in the diet of chickens, as they quickly saturate their bodies and replenish their fiber reserves. In addition, this product can be mixed with any feed, because in any kind of bird it is excellent to eat it. The only thing that should be taken into account when issuing potatoes - its appearance: the raw product is not only undesirable, but can be dangerous to the health of birds. The fact is that in the subcutaneous space of the root contains a large amount of toxic substance solanine, destroyed only under the influence of high temperatures. Consequently, boil the potatoes on the fire, you exclude the possibility of poisoning the bird. 
Boiled potatoes will be an excellent addition to grain mixes, green grass or wet mash, and as for the rate of issue, it all depends on the age of the bird: three-week chickens are given 60-100 g of potatoes per day, and a little later they bring it to 200 g on 1 adult bird. However, this does not mean that chickens should eat potatoes every day, two or three times a week is enough.
Did you know? The most expensive potato variety in the world is La Bonnotte, a very delicate flavor. The price for 1 kg of this product reaches 500 dollars.
Beans
Beans - an excellent source of protein, which significantly improves the quality of eggs, and the health of the bird itself. However, not all birds agree to eat it raw, so before issuing it is better to boil it. The cooking process is simple and involves a half-hour soaking and subsequent cooking over low heat for the same time. Boiled product is much easier to digest avian body and does not cause heaviness in the stomach. Raw beans give only chopped, preferably processed into flour. 
As for the rate of issue, it can make up a ration and be given out several times a day, 1-2 times a week. Like potatoes, boiled beans can be mixed with mash beans, added to cereal mixtures or put in a poultry house in a separate vessel.
A fish
Fish and fish products can be called a kind of chicken delicacy, which birds eat with pleasure. However, Considering the presence of a large number of bones in it, it is advisable to boil it before issuing, until all the hard constituents are softened.
Important! Fish used for feeding must be fresh, otherwise the likelihood of its negative impact on the bird's body cannot be excluded, which is primarily reflected in the disorder of the intestine and stomach.
Fish contains a large amount of phosphorus and calcium, which have a positive effect on the bone system of the birds and the strength of the eggshell. However, the frequency of issuance of "fish dishes" should not exceed 1-2 times a week, using 100-150 g of minced fish mixed with feed. This amount can be given at a time, and can be divided into several feedings during the day.
Cabbage
Cabbage leaves - one of the favorite types of food for domestic chickens. They eat them well in a crushed form, and gradually pecking the head suspended in the house. In addition, the vegetable can be issued feathery and in pickled form, the main thing is to pre-rinse it and squeeze out, eliminating excess salt. Cabbage hides such useful elements as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and also vitamins A, C, K. 
During fermentation of sauerkraut, lactic acid useful for the bird's stomach appears, significantly improving digestive processes. Chopped cabbage leaves can be added to the masses (about 100-150 g per 1 kg) or you can just hang the heads over the house and wait until the hens themselves eat the leaves, before reaching the head of cabbage.
Read on how to feed chickens with garlic, onions, sunflower seeds, beets, oats, salt, peas.
Only a varied and optimally balanced diet can guarantee good health and high productivity of your birds, so both egg shells, cabbage, potatoes, and beans in certain quantities can and should be fed to the chicken.
Video: How to give eggs to chickens
Reviews
