How Thin Shells Affect Incubation: Calcium, Phosphorus & Vitamin D for Hens

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The chick pulls much of its calcium out of the eggshell, so what the hen ate before she laid the egg matters long before it hatches.

Thin shells, soft shells, or chicks that don't make it: it is not always the incubator and it is not always shipping. Carey and I walk through calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, why a hen needs all three, whether more oyster shell helps, whether chickens get vitamin D from the sun, and why vitamins in the water are a poor plan.

We also get into soil health and feed quality, what to ask a hatching-egg seller about their feed, whether roosters can eat layer feed, feeding through the seasons, and the concrete block grit and shell feeder. Our free vaccine and disease masterclass is coming to poultrynerdspodcast.com.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OnH4uyFxio

Blog with sources and studies: https://www.poultrynerdspodcast.com/2026-episodes/how-thin-shells-affect-incubation

Studies and resources mentioned:
Alabama Extension, Feeding the Laying Hen: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/backyard-small-poultry-flock-management-series-feeding-the-laying-hen/
Oregon State Extension, How to Feed Your Laying Hens: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pnw-477-how-feed-your-laying-hens

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