How to Feed Chickens for Strong Eggshells
Last Updated: 5 November 2026
Quick Summary
Feed a quality layers feed with calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin D3, and offer poultry grit so hens can digest and absorb it. A hen's chicken eggshells are almost entirely calcium carbonate, so a steady daily supply keeps her from borrowing calcium from her bones.
- Farmgate Layers Pellets contain optimum levels of calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin D3 for bone strength and good shell quality.
- Poultry grit is the small, hard material hens swallow to grind food in the gizzard, since they have no teeth.
- Guidance cautions against reusing shells from shop-bought eggs from outside the UK, as those eggs may have been treated
- Use your own hens' shells, or buy a proper calcium supplement and skip the doubt.
- If soft shells keep appearing despite a good diet, treat it as a health question, not a feeding one.
Table of Contents
- Calcium for Laying Hens: The Foundation of Strong Shells
- Poultry Grit for Laying Hens: Helping Hens Digest and Absorb
- Soft Eggshells in Chickens: Causes and Fixes
- Frequently Asked Questions
Calcium for Laying Hens: The Foundation of Strong Shells
A hen's eggshell is almost entirely calcium carbonate, so every egg draws on the calcium in her body; if it isn't replaced through feed, she borrows it from her bones, which is why chicken eggshells depend on a steady daily supply.
At Chartley Chucks (Staffordshire), we stock feeds and supplements designed to support strong shells.
Start with a quality layers feed: Farmgate Layers Pellets contain optimum levels of calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin D3 for bone strength and good shell quality, and are available from Chartley Chucks at £11.99.
A quick word on shop-bought shells: some keepers bake and crush eggshells back into the feed. Backyard Chickens' guidance on using eggshells as a calcium source cautions against reusing shells from shop-bought eggs out side the UK, as those eggs may have been treated. Use your own hens' shells, or buy a proper calcium supplement and skip the doubt.
If you're weighing up calcium sources, our guide to oyster shell versus limestone for chickens breaks down which suits your flock.
Here are the calcium facts from this section at a glance.
Item |
What it provides |
Note |
|---|---|---|
Eggshell |
Almost entirely calcium carbonate |
Every egg draws on the hen's calcium |
Farmgate Layers Pellets |
Calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin D3 |
Available from Chartley Chucks at £11.99 |
Shop-bought eggshells |
Sometimes baked and crushed into feed |
Guidance cautions against reusing them |
Own hens' shells |
A calcium source |
Use these, or buy a proper supplement |
Poultry Grit for Laying Hens: Helping Hens Digest and Absorb
Poultry grit for laying hens is the small, hard material hens swallow to grind food in the gizzard, since they have no teeth.
Want the full picture on why grit matters? Read our article on why chickens need grit in their diet, or go straight to mixed poultry grit and Gastro Grit if you already know what you need.
Soft Eggshells in Chickens: Causes and Fixes
Soft chicken eggshells can have several causes, so it helps to check the diet and the flock's circumstances before changing feed.
Watch out: if soft shells keep appearing despite a good diet, treat it as a health question, not a feeding one. Our guide to chicken egg shell quality problems covers the less obvious causes. If you'd rather talk it through, we offer a 30-minute advice chat on keeping and caring for chickens, and with UK delivery or collection available, getting the right feed and supplements to your door is straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best food for chickens to help them lay eggs with strong shells?
A complete layers pellet or mash is the foundation, because it is formulated with calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3 for shell quality. Offer poultry grit for laying hens separately so they can grind food and take extra calcium as needed. A calcium-rich supplement such as Gastro Grit supports strong shells and healthy bones. Keep treats small so they do not displace the balanced feed, and always provide clean, fresh water.
Can chickens eat crushed eggshells for calcium?
Yes, crushed eggshells can be a useful calcium source for laying hens, but bake and crush them first so they are not recognisable as eggs. Offer them separately rather than mixing into the main feed. Shells from shop-bought eggs outside of the UK may have been treated, so stick to shells from your own flock. A dedicated supplement is a more consistent option.
Why are my hens laying eggs with thin or soft shells?
Soft eggshells in chickens can have several causes, including diet and grit. Check that layers feed is fresh and not diluted with too many treats, and offer grit ad lib in a separate feeder. Stress, age and moulting can also affect shell quality. If problems persist after correcting the diet, speak to your vet, as underlying health issues can be involved.
Feeding for strong shells isn't complicated, but it does need consistency: the right layers feed, calcium offered separately, and grit always available. If you'd rather have someone talk it through with you, we offer a 30-minute advice chat on keeping and caring for chickens, and we deliver across the UK.
Get started with Chartley Chucks and give your hens the calcium, grit and vitamin support behind firm, well-formed shells.
