Raising backyard chickens is my favorite hobby in the entire world! I realize that’s dramatic, but I’m being serious. Spending time with my girls brings me so much joy. Most people get into backyard chickens for the eggs, and for me that’s just a bonus. However, when talking about the beautiful eggs our girls produce, we should talk about how to support eggshell quality.
What’s an Eggshell Made of?
According to exploratorium.edu, the eggshell is made up of almost entirely calcium carbonate crystals. It has as many as 17,000 tiny pores! This allows air and moisture to pass in and out of the egg. The chickens also put a very thin layer called the “bloom” on the outside of the shell right before they lay. The bloom allows protection from bacteria and dust. Once the bloom is removed, that layer of protection is gone. That’s why it’s important to refrigerate your eggs if they get wet or you wash them.
Why Eggshell Quality Matters
Having good-quality eggshells is about more than just having pretty eggs—it’s crucial for safety and profitability, especially for larger producers. Weak eggshells are more likely to break, leading to loss and increased risk of Salmonella contamination. We’ve all seen the bad press about Salmonella and backyard chickens, but much of this can be prevented with proper health, nutrition and hygiene practices.
How to Improve Eggshell Quality
Since eggshells are mostly made of calcium, chickens need a good source of calcium to produce strong shells. One easy way to provide this is to keep oyster shells available for your chickens to eat as needed. I also love using Chicken E-lixir, a product that keeps my chickens healthy by supporting their immune system, digestive health and eggshell quality.
Benefits of Chicken E-lixir:
Hydrates and helps build strong chickens
Supports eggshell quality
Boosts immunity
Promotes digestive health
I add Chicken E-lixir to my flock’s water daily. They love the taste, and I know I’m giving them everything they need to stay healthy and produce strong eggshells.
Golden Graze: A Daily Treat for Egg Health
Another product I use is Golden Graze, which focuses specifically on egg health. Golden Graze is a daily snack packed with Omega-3 fatty acids to promote quality eggs with rich, golden yolks. It’s made with a blend of natural ingredients like oregano essential oil, multi-grains, cracked corn, oyster shells, marigold petals and flaxseed.
Key Ingredients in Golden Graze:
Oyster shells: For strong eggshells
Marigold petals: For beautiful golden yolks
Flaxseed: Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids for overall egg health
That’s one of the reasons I love Strong Animals—they’ve made it so easy to support my flock’s health with natural ingredients. They’ve taken the guesswork out of using essential oils and other beneficial additives, ensuring my girls have everything they need to lay high-quality eggs.
Raising Healthy Chickens with Strong Animals Products
My chickens have been raised on Strong Animals products, and I always make sure to have them on hand. These supplements and snacks keep my flock healthy and ensure strong, safe eggs for my family. I trust their products to support both my chickens’ well-being and egg quality!
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady
Chicken E-lixir - Daily Vitamin for Chickens
Chicken E-lixir is added to drinking water as a daily vitamin for keeping chickens healthy by promoting digestive health. For everyday use, it contains a unique blend of organic oregano essential oil, prebiotics, calcium, vitamins D & E and electrolytes.
Golden Graze - For Quality Eggs & Golden Yolks
Golden Graze is a daily chicken snack that promotes quality eggs with golden yolks and Omega-3 fatty acids. It contains oregano essential oils, multi-grains, cracked corn, oyster shells, marigold petals and flaxseed. Treat your hens to this healthy snack and enjoy eggsellent eggs.
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