What to do if chicken eggs have thinned and weakened shells
The density and thickness of the shell is one of the most important indicators of the quality of eggs. In industrial facilities, there is a special control system that includes a series of measurements that indicate the quality of the product. This is due to the fact that the thin shell of chicken eggs reduces their price, as they become unsafe for the consumer.
Thin and weak shells in chicken eggs
There are actually many factors that determine the thickness of the shell. In some cases, chickens do not receive enough of certain substances, and in others, individuals may be sick... Shell quality control can help preserve not only the eggs, but also the health of the hens. The thinnest shell is at quail eggs.
Reasons for thinning eggshell
In fact, the factors that determine the thickness and strength of the shell in eggs are quite varied. So, these parameters can be different in different breeds and crosses of chickens, however, under normal conditions, the contents of chicken eggs will still be qualitatively protected, regardless of the type of bird, therefore, first of all, we should talk about pathological changes.
It is necessary to understand that the shell is a rather complex product, the creation of which requires certain resources. For the formation of the egg shell, 3 biogenic macronutrients are consumed:
- nitrogen;
- calcium;
- phosphorus.
However, it is also not worth neglecting trace elements, the content of which in the bird's body is much less than the previous ones, otherwise they will not be in the eggs either. The contribution of these chemical elements is significant, therefore it is necessary to carefully monitor that they also enter the diet of chickens.
In total, 6 microelements are isolated that affect the formation of eggshell: zinc, cobalt, cuprum, ferum, manganese and iodine. Without these substances, the formation of a full-fledged shell is impossible.
What provokes shell thinning
Usually, the reason why eggs have a weak shell is a lack of the aforementioned chemical elements. Among other things, vitamin D, which may also be called the "sunshine" vitamin, is of great importance in this context. It is very necessary for the assimilation of macro- and microelements.
Lack of vitamin D leads to the fact that the bird is not able to use the elements obtained from food. Ultimately, this can affect not only eggs, but also the health of adult birds, leading to the development of a number of diseases, primarily rickets and bone diseases.
However, the most common cause is in the wrong ratio of phosphorus to calcium. Usually, chickens normally need 3-5 times more Ca than P. Among other things, a lack of calcium affects the development of osteoporosis.
Solution to the problem
When it becomes known why the soft shell is observed, you can start thinking about what to do with it. Care must be taken to ensure that the chickens are provided with the right amount of macro-, microelements and the aforementioned vitamin D. For this, the following foods can be included in the diet:
- To increase the amount of calcium obtained - powdered eggshells, limestone, chalk, cottage cheese, oven ash, limestone and shell rock.
- If you need to increase the amount of both calcium and phosphorus, it is perfect bone flour and phosphates containing Ca.
- The main source of nitrogen is table salt.
However, you must be extremely careful with the latter. Large particles of salt, as well as its excess, can lead to poisoning of chickens and death. In the summer, it is advisable to limit yourself to nitrogen obtained from herbaceous plants: clover, sorrel, plantain, meadow bluegrass and dandelion.
Regarding calcium, it must be said that about 2.1-2.3 g of this element is usually spent on the formation of the shell and its contents.
But it must be borne in mind that the chicken is able to use only up to 50% of the calcium it receives, which is why the above value needs to be doubled. So that a very thin shell hardened, the bird should receive from 4.4 to 4.6 g of this macronutrient per day.
How and when to introduce complementary foods to strengthen the shell
Feeding feathered foods rich in calcium is recommended after dinner. This will allow chickens to optimally consume the element, taking into account physiological needs.
Moreover, in order for the shell to be strong, it is advisable to feed the chickens with limestone in the morning, and after lunch, at about 14-15 hours, shell rock. This is due to the fact that the latter product, entering the body, is retained in the gastrointestinal tract for a longer period than limestone.
However, in some cases, a fragile shell is just one of the symptoms of a certain disease. In such a situation, it is unlikely that it will be possible to strengthen it without curing the bird. First, it is recommended to make sure that the chickens do not get sick with the following diseases, because the trouble with the shell is precisely them:
- mycoplasmosis;
- infectious bronchitis;
- NB;
- bird flu;
- STY;
- avian encephalomyelitis.
Among other things, care must be taken to ensure that poultry are not plagued by any mental problems. Stress and fear, like illness, can contribute to poor health in birds, which in turn leads to thinning of the shell in eggs. Without a quiet life, strengthening the shell will be extremely difficult to achieve.
It is great to feed the birds correctly and monitor their health, but this may not be enough if there is not enough vitamin D. It is not for nothing called "sunny". The fact is that it is usually synthesized thanks to the rays falling on the body. To avoid a deficiency and prevent a defect in the eggs, it is necessary to give the chickens the opportunity to walk in the summer under the sun. If the problem arose in winter, it is recommended to give chickens special vitamin-containing preparations: trivitamin and tetravit.