Golden egg resting on oyster shells with happy hens.

Cracking the Egg Code: How to Boost Egg Quality with Simple Diet Tweaks for Your Hens

Soraya Malik in Science & Nature June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock the secrets to superior egg production and shell strength with meat and bone meal or oyster shell meal. Transform your laying hens' health and your breakfast plate!"

For anyone raising laying hens, the ultimate goal is to maximize egg production and ensure top-notch egg quality. But achieving this balance can be tricky. Modern commercial layer hybrids are bred to produce more eggs with a reduced feed intake, which means they may not always get enough calcium for proper eggshell formation. This can lead to significant economic losses for producers due to downgraded eggs.

Calcium is essential because eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate. While limestone is a common supplemental source of calcium in hen feed, innovative solutions are always being explored to improve shell quality and overall hen health. Alternatives like oyster shell meal (OSM) and meat and bone meal (MBM) have emerged as potential game-changers, offering unique benefits beyond simple calcium supplementation.

A study published in the South African Journal of Animal Science investigated the impact of supplementing laying hen diets with MBM and OSM. The research aimed to determine how these complementary calcium sources influence egg production, egg quality, and the overall well-being of aged laying hens. The study provides practical insights for both commercial and backyard poultry keepers looking to optimize their hens' diets and egg output.

Oyster Shell Meal: The Egg-cellent Boost for Production

Golden egg resting on oyster shells with happy hens.

The study divided 432 Brown-Nick hens into four groups, each receiving a different diet: a basal diet with limestone (LMS), LMS supplemented with meat and bone meal (MBM), LMS supplemented with oyster shell meal (OSM), and LMS supplemented with a combination of MBM and OSM. The hens were monitored throughout their second production period to assess the impact of these dietary changes.

One of the most notable findings was the significant impact of OSM on egg production. Hens fed the OSM-supplemented diet produced more eggs and greater egg mass compared to all other treatments. These hens also exhibited a considerably higher feed intake. This suggests that OSM not only supports increased egg production but also encourages hens to consume more feed, potentially providing additional nutrients necessary for optimal performance.

Here's what the study revealed about OSM:

Increased Egg Production: Hens on the OSM diet laid more eggs.
Greater Egg Mass: The total weight of eggs produced was higher.
Higher Feed Intake: Hens consumed more feed, likely supporting the increased production.

While OSM primarily impacted egg production, MBM showed different strengths. The study found that hens fed MBM had eggs with thicker shells and greater breaking strength compared to those in the control and OSM groups. MBM also tended to enhance albumen height and Haugh unit, both indicators of egg quality. These improvements suggest that MBM contributes to the structural integrity and internal quality of eggs.

Balancing Act: Optimizing Your Hens' Diet for Peak Performance

The study underscores the importance of carefully balancing a laying hen's diet to achieve optimal egg production and quality. Supplementing with OSM can significantly boost egg production and egg mass, while MBM can enhance eggshell strength and internal quality. By understanding the specific benefits of these supplements, poultry keepers can make informed decisions to improve the health and productivity of their flocks. Whether you're a commercial farmer or a backyard enthusiast, strategic dietary adjustments can lead to healthier hens and higher quality eggs.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4314/sajas.v42i1.9, Alternate LINK

Title: Performance And Egg Quality Of Aged Laying Hens Fed Diets Supplemented With Meat And Bone Meal Or Oyster Shell Meal

Subject: Animal Science and Zoology

Journal: South African Journal of Animal Science

Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)

Authors: Au Çatlı, M Bozkurt, K Küçükyılmaz, M Çınar, E Bintas, F Çöven, H Atik

Published: 2012-03-05

Everything You Need To Know

What specific dietary supplements were investigated to improve egg quality and hen performance?

The study focused on the impact of supplementing laying hen diets with meat and bone meal (MBM) and oyster shell meal (OSM). These supplements were investigated as potential ways to enhance egg production, egg quality, and the overall well-being of aged laying hens.

How does Oyster Shell Meal (OSM) impact egg production and what are the key benefits observed in the study?

OSM significantly boosts egg production and egg mass. Hens fed the OSM-supplemented diet laid more eggs and the total weight of eggs produced was higher compared to other treatments. Moreover, hens on the OSM diet exhibited a higher feed intake, indicating that OSM not only supports increased egg production but also encourages hens to consume more feed, which supports optimal performance.

Besides egg production, how does Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) contribute to egg quality and what improvements were seen?

MBM primarily enhances eggshell strength and internal quality. Hens fed MBM had eggs with thicker shells and greater breaking strength compared to those in the control and OSM groups. Additionally, MBM tended to enhance albumen height and Haugh unit, which are indicators of improved egg quality. These improvements suggest that MBM contributes to the structural integrity and internal quality of eggs.

Can you explain the role of calcium in eggshell formation and why alternatives to limestone are being explored?

Calcium is essential because eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate. While limestone is a common supplemental source of calcium in hen feed, modern commercial layer hybrids may not always get enough calcium for proper eggshell formation. This can lead to significant economic losses for producers. Alternatives like OSM and MBM are being explored to improve shell quality and hen health, going beyond simple calcium supplementation to offer additional benefits.

What are the practical implications of using MBM and OSM in a laying hen's diet, for both commercial farmers and backyard poultry keepers?

For both commercial farmers and backyard poultry keepers, the study's findings highlight the importance of balancing a laying hen's diet for peak performance. Supplementing with OSM can boost egg production and egg mass, while MBM can enhance eggshell strength and internal quality. By understanding the specific benefits of these supplements, poultry keepers can make informed decisions to improve the health and productivity of their flocks, leading to healthier hens and higher-quality eggs. It underscores the potential for strategic dietary adjustments to improve overall egg output and quality.