Feeding Chickens, Pigeons and Small Animals: The Essentials

A balanced diet is essential to support growth, maintenance and reproduction in poultry and pigeons.

While cereals and complete feeds form an important part of their diet, certain nutritional requirements deserve particular attention, especially the intake of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals.

In laying hens, calcium contributes to eggshell formation. In pigeons, appropriate mineral supplementation can help meet nutritional requirements associated with reproduction and growth.

Since 1905, Perrin Madox has developed its expertise in animal nutrition, particularly through its mineral blocks, grit and crushed oyster shells.

Explore our advice to better understand your animals' nutritional needs and choose suitable supplements.

1. Why Do Chickens Need Calcium?

Calcium is an essential mineral for poultry. It plays an important role in bone formation, muscle function and eggshell production.

Laying hens require significant amounts of calcium every day to produce eggs.

When the diet does not provide sufficient available calcium, or when calcium metabolism is disrupted, eggshell quality may deteriorate.

How Can You Recognise a Potential Calcium Deficiency?

Certain signs may indicate a problem:

• Abnormally thin or fragile eggshells.

• Eggs with soft or incompletely formed shells.

• Bone weakness in cases of prolonged deficiency.

However, these signs are not specific to calcium deficiency. The age of the hens, heat, stress, certain diseases and dietary imbalances may also be involved.

How Can You Provide Calcium to Laying Hens?

The first step is to provide a complete feed suited to the birds' age and physiological stage.

Crushed oyster shells, rich in calcium carbonate, are a commonly used supplementary calcium source in poultry farming.

Particle size also plays a role: sufficiently coarse particles may remain in the gizzard for longer and contribute to a gradual release of calcium.

However, the appropriate particle size depends on the species, age and feeding system.

Our advice: for adult laying hens, choose supplementation based on the actual nutritional requirements of your flock, without unnecessarily combining multiple calcium sources.

2. Oyster Shells for Chickens: What Are the Benefits?

Crushed oyster shells are valued for their natural calcium carbonate content.

They can be offered alongside a suitable diet, particularly when calcium requirements are high.

Which Particle Size Should You Choose?

Oyster shells are available in different particle sizes.

Fine particles generally dissolve more quickly, while coarser particles may remain in the gizzard for longer.

For adult laying hens, coarser particles may be beneficial in meeting calcium requirements associated with eggshell formation, particularly overnight.

However, the choice should take into account the birds' age and applicable nutritional recommendations.

Can Oyster Shells Be Given to All Poultry?

Calcium requirements vary according to species and physiological stage.

An adult laying hen does not have the same requirements as a growing chick or a rooster.

Excessive calcium intake can be harmful, particularly in young birds already receiving a properly formulated complete feed.

It is therefore important to adjust supplementation and follow the products' instructions for use.

3. What Is Grit for Pigeons and Poultry Used For?

Grit is particularly familiar to pigeon fanciers and poultry breeders.

However, not all types of grit serve exactly the same purpose.

Insoluble Grit: Supporting Mechanical Digestion

In seed-eating birds, insoluble mineral particles, such as certain types of quartz or flint gravel, can help mechanically grind food in the gizzard.

This function is particularly useful for birds consuming whole grains and seeds.

Birds fed finely ground or pelleted complete feeds do not necessarily have the same requirements.

Soluble Grit: A Source of Minerals

Other ingredients, such as oyster shells, are primarily used for their calcium content.

A grit mixture can therefore combine ingredients with different functions.

It is important to distinguish between:

• Insoluble grit, which helps mechanically grind food.

• Soluble grit, which contributes to mineral intake.

At Perrin Madox, we offer grit mixtures specifically intended for pigeons and poultry.

4. Why Offer Mineral Blocks to Pigeons?

Pigeons require a balanced diet providing energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.

In breeding systems where feeding relies heavily on cereal mixtures, mineral intake deserves particular attention.

Mineral blocks provide a practical way of making certain minerals available to birds.

What Are the Benefits of a Mineral Block?

Depending on its formulation, a mineral block can:

• Provide calcium and other minerals.

• Supplement a seed-based diet.

• Make mineral supplementation easier to provide.

• Help meet certain nutritional requirements associated with growth or reproduction.

However, mineral blocks do not replace a balanced diet.

When Do Pigeons Need Minerals?

Nutritional requirements may vary according to their physiological stage.

During breeding, mineral intake should be suited to egg formation and the development of young birds.

During growth, an appropriate balance of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D is important for skeletal development.

During maintenance periods, a balanced diet remains essential to meet daily nutritional requirements.

The choice of supplement therefore depends on the composition of the basic diet and the characteristics of the birds.

5. Mineral Blocks, Grit and Oyster Shells: What Are the Differences?

These three products can complement one another in certain situations, but they do not perform exactly the same functions.

Mineral blocks provide various minerals depending on their formulation. Their solid format is suited to their intended method of use.

Grit may combine insoluble particles that help mechanically grind food with soluble components that provide minerals.

Crushed oyster shells are primarily a source of calcium carbonate, particularly used for calcium supplementation in laying hens.

The most appropriate choice depends on the species, age, diet and nutritional objectives.

It is not necessary to provide all three products routinely. The priority is to assess the nutrients already supplied by the animals' regular diet.

6. Our Advice for Balanced Poultry Nutrition

Good nutrition is not simply about adding supplements.

A few basic principles can help maintain the nutritional balance of your flock.

Choose a suitable feed. Chicks, growing pullets and laying hens have different nutritional requirements.

Ensure access to water. Clean, fresh water should always be available.

Adjust mineral intake. Check the composition of the existing feed before adding supplements.

Store feed properly. Protect it from moisture, pests and contamination.

Observe your animals regularly. Their general condition, feed intake and egg quality can provide useful indications.

If symptoms persist, egg production drops significantly or unusual behaviour occurs, seek veterinary advice.

7. Rabbits and Small Rodents: