Laying hen nutrition — calcium, protein, energy
A laying hen builds an egg every single day — and to do that she needs a lot of calcium, the right amount of protein, and just enough energy so she does not get fat. We explain what feed to give a pullet (a young hen before her first egg), when to switch to layer feed, and why coarse limestone grit matters at night.
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A laying hen is not a broiler or a chick — she needs different feed and a different approach. Every day her body builds an egg from scratch: albumen (egg white), yolk and shell (the hard outer casing of the egg). The shell is almost pure calcium. That is why a laying hen has completely different nutritional needs from other poultry. This guide is part of the laying hen cluster — the full picture of keeping hens is in the guide on laying hen keeping.
Where do the numbers in this guide come from?
The calcium, protein and energy ranges given here are INDICATIVE — based on IZ-PIB "Normy żywienia drobiu" (2025). The exact values depend on the breed or genetic line, hen body weight, temperature in the henhouse and daily egg production. Always consult your feed supplier or animal nutritionist. More about breeds: laying hen breeds.
Feed changes as the hen gets older — from chick to peak production
Each phase has a different balance of calcium, protein and energy. Layer feed (with high calcium) is only introduced shortly before the first egg — high calcium too early damages the kidneys and bones of a growing pullet. Indicative values from IZ-PIB 2018*.
Starter feed (weeks 0–6)
Chicks need a lot of protein — indicatively about 18–20% — to grow quickly. Calcium is LOW here because a small chick's kidneys are not yet ready to handle large amounts. Feed comes as crumble (finely crushed pellets) that is easy to swallow. More on the early days: laying hen keeping.
Grower feed (weeks 6–16)
The pullet (a young hen before she lays her first egg) is growing but not yet laying. Protein drops indicatively to about 15–16% and calcium remains low. The hen should not put on weight at this stage — too much energy in the feed leads to fat deposits in the ovary and fewer eggs later. Monitor flock body weight.
Pre-lay / developer feed (approx. weeks 16–17)
Just before the first egg, the hen's body begins to store calcium in the bones. This is an important transition — calcium in the feed is gradually raised to about 2–2.5%. Do not switch to full layer feed with 3.5–4% calcium at this point — it is still too early and can harm the kidneys.
Layer feed — peak production (approx. weeks 18–45)
Calcium reaches indicatively about 3.5–4% (about 3.5–4 g per hen per day) — a lot, but the hen needs it for every eggshell. Protein about 16–17%, energy moderate. A hen at peak production lays nearly one egg per day. More on how an egg forms: how an egg is made.
Layer feed — late production (after week 45)
An older hen lays slightly fewer eggs, but each is a little larger — the shell must be just as strong. Protein can be reduced slightly; keep calcium at a similar level. Watch shell quality: if shells become thin or brittle, review the calcium dose and vitamin D3 supply.
Limestone grit and oyster shell — coarse calcium that releases slowly
Part of the calcium is best supplied in a coarser form — as limestone grit or oyster shell (coarser calcium that releases slowly). Why? The eggshell forms mainly at night. Fine calcium from the feed is absorbed quickly and may run out at 3 a.m. Coarse calcium (small particles) sits longer in the muscular stomach (gizzard) and releases calcium gradually — exactly when the hen needs it for the shell. More on the egg's structure: egg structure.
Vitamin D3, phosphorus, water and pigments — what else a laying hen needs
Calcium alone is not enough. These four elements determine bone health, egg quality and flock condition.
Vitamin D3 — without it calcium never reaches the shell
Vitamin D3 (which helps the body use calcium) is needed for the hen's gut to absorb calcium from feed in the first place. Without D3, even a high-calcium diet results in thin shells and weak bones. Hens in a closed house get no sunlight, so D3 must come from feed. Good layer feed already contains D3 — check the label.
Phosphorus — calcium's partner
Phosphorus and calcium must be in the right ratio. Too much phosphorus with too little calcium — soft bones. Too little phosphorus — the hen absorbs calcium poorly. Layer feed balances these proportions. Note: cereal grains (wheat, maize) contain phosphorus as phytic acid (phytate), which hens absorb poorly — good layer feed therefore includes the enzyme phytase (which breaks down phytate and releases the phosphorus).
Water — a hen drinks twice what she eats
A laying hen drinks indicatively about 200–300 ml of water per day — roughly twice as much as she eats feed by weight. Even a few hours without water means fewer eggs and weaker shells. Check drinkers daily, clean them weekly, and monitor water temperature especially in summer. More on house equipment: poultry feed mixes.
Yolk colour — it is pigments, not quality
An intensely yellow yolk comes from pigments in the feed — maize, dried grass, paprika and colouring additives produce a deep yellow or orange yolk. A pale yolk is not a "worse" egg — it simply comes from different feed. Customers may find this confusing, but the nutritional value of an egg does not depend on yolk colour. To get darker yolks, increase the proportion of maize or green forage in the diet.
Frequently asked questions about laying hen nutrition
How much calcium does a laying hen need in her feed?add
Indicatively about 3.5–4% calcium in the feed (about 3.5–4 g per hen per day) at peak production, according to IZ-PIB Normy żywienia drobiu 2025. With too little calcium, eggshells become thin or brittle and the hen may begin to draw calcium from her own bones, leading to osteoporosis. The exact amount depends on the breed and the stage of lay.
Why shouldn't I give a chick layer feed (with high calcium) straight away?add
High calcium given too early damages the kidneys and bones of a pullet (a young hen before her first egg). The kidneys are not yet ready to excrete such large amounts. Layer feed with indicatively about 3.5–4% calcium is only introduced about 2–4 weeks before the first egg (around weeks 16–18 of life). Until then the hen receives starter or grower feed with low calcium.
Why give limestone grit or oyster shell if calcium is already in the feed?add
The eggshell forms mainly at night — over about 16–20 hours from ovulation. Fine calcium from feed is absorbed quickly and may be used up in the middle of the night. Limestone grit or oyster shell (coarser calcium that releases slowly) stays longer in the gizzard and releases calcium gradually — exactly when the hen needs it to build the shell. It is usually offered in the afternoon or separately alongside the normal feed.
What should I do if my hens are laying eggs with thin or brittle shells?add
First check that hens have access to layer feed with the right calcium level (about 3.5–4%). Then make sure the feed contains vitamin D3 — without it calcium is not absorbed. Add limestone grit or oyster shell on a free-choice basis. If the problem persists despite improving the diet, consult a veterinarian — there may be other causes (disease, stress, excessive heat).
How much protein should layer feed contain?add
Indicatively about 16–18% crude protein in layer feed, according to IZ-PIB Normy żywienia drobiu 2025. Too little protein — fewer eggs and smaller albumen content. Too much protein — the hen may gain weight and have kidney problems. Energy in layer feed should be moderate: a laying hen does not need to deposit fat the way a broiler does.
Can laying hens receive green feed and kitchen scraps?add
Green forage (grass, leaves) is a good supplement and a source of yolk pigments. However, balanced layer feed must form the basis — scraps and herbs alone cannot supply the right levels of calcium and protein. Some foods (e.g. avocado, onion, raw beans) can be harmful to poultry — always check before offering them.
Why is the yolk sometimes pale and sometimes intensely yellow?add
Yolk colour depends on pigments in the feed — maize, dried grass, paprika and special colouring additives produce an intensely yellow or orange yolk. Feed low in pigments gives a paler yolk. This has no effect on the nutritional value of the egg or the shell thickness — it is purely a matter of appearance. More about what is inside an egg: egg structure.
Sources & resources
Manage laying hen nutrition in DlaFerm.pl
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