Winter Flock Support: Prepare Your Hens for Spring Laying

Strong Bones. Strong Eggs. Strong Hens.

As winter shortens the days and sunlight becomes scarce, your laying hens need extra support to stay strong and healthy. Reduced light means less vitamin D3, which is essential for calcium absorption-the mineral your hens rely on for strong bones and eggshells. Chick' N Calcium provides the perfect combination of calcium and vitamin D3 to keep your flock healthy through the darker months and prepare their bodies for the upcoming laying season.

Why Calcium and Vitamin D3 Matters in Winter

Each eggshell your hen lays is made up of nearly 95% calcium carbonate. To produce just one egg, she needs to pull a significant amount of calcium from her system-and if her diet doesn't provide enough, her body will begin to draw calcium from her own bones to make up the difference, which can lead to:

• Weakened bones

• Soft or thin eggshells

• Egg binding or prolapsed vent

• Reduced energy and overall health

A few of these listed could be subtle problems, but one that can quickly affect egg production and hen health.

Winter is a critical period for building calcium and mineral reserves, so hens can smoothly return to consistent laying when daylight increases.

How Chick' N Calcium Helps

Chick' N Calcium is a targeted supplement made with a precise blend of calcium and vitamin D3 to support:

• Strong bones and joints

• Thick, healthy eggshells

• Reduced risk of egg binding or prolapsed vent

• Preparation for peak laying in spring

By supplementing during the darker months, you're helping hens maintain bone density and shell quality, so they're ready to perform at their best once egg production ramps up.

The Importance of Oyster Shell

Even with a quality supplement like Chick' N Calcium, it's just as important to offer free-choice oyster shell in a separate dish at all times.

Laying hens are very good at regulating their own calcium intake-they instinctively know when they need more and will take what their body requires. Having oyster shell available allows them to top up their calcium levels naturally, especially during peak laying or stress periods.

Why not feed eggshells back?

If your hens are already eating a nutritionally complete layer feed, avoid offering crushed eggshells back to them. Both layer feed and eggshells are fast-release forms of calcium-meaning the calcium is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. Too much fast-release calcium can overwhelm the system, forcing the kidneys to filter out the excess. Over time, this can contribute to kidney strain or disease.

Oyster shell, on the other hand, is a slow-release of calcium. It dissolves gradually in the digestive tract, providing a steady supply of calcium that supports shell formation overnight-exactly when your hen is building her eggshell.

The combination of Chick' N Calcium and oyster shell provides safe, steady support year-round.

Set Your Flock Up for a Strong Spring

Winter isn't just downtime-it's the perfect time to prepare your hens for the upcoming laying season. By supplementing with Chick' N Calcium through the darker months, you help your flock.

• Maintain strong bones and shell quality

• Absorb calcium efficiently with vitamin D3 support

• Reduce risks of reproductive issues

• Transition smoothly back into peak egg production

Because healthy hens now = strong eggs in spring.

Shop Chick' N Calcium in our Chick' N Wellness Shop and give your flock the winter support they need to thrive in the coming egg laying season.