Our Flaked Chicken Oyster Shell provides a good source of calcium that builds strong eggshells for your flock. Oyster shells are a special treat for your hens and should be added in addition to their standard chicken feed.So why do chickens need calcium in their diet? Let's dive into why you should supplement your chickens' diet with oyster shells. Layer feed calcium: fast-release. (The calcium breaks down quickly. And while this is super important for hen health, it can become useless after the hens have eaten and if they’re forming their eggs during the night.)Oyster shell calcium: slow-release. (The calcium breaks down over time so our hens can use it when they really need to, for their eggshells.)Hens go through a pretty amazing process building eggs, and oyster shells help out at a very specific point. The shells are built last, usually overnight, and the process can drain your chicken of calcium. The calcium in oyster shells is digested at a different rate than that found in their feed, so they have some extra during those night hours when they are creating shell. Help them out by providing oyster shells at all times, and they will self-regulate, eating them when they need them.Oyster and sea shells should always be available to our laying hens in a separate dish than their feed… our chickens have different calcium needs and will eat as much as they need. Don’t worry… it’s true!