Basic information

The effects of high consumption of calcium by young layers can be largely explained by its effects on intestinal ph. The proposed mechanism involves excess calcium reducing the soluble fraction of minerals and the proportion of minerals in small complexes

Excess calcium intake by young layers has been shown to reduce growth and feed efficiency and to increase bone ash and bone strength in growing chickens. Source and level of dietary phosphorus have been shown to affect calcium tolerance

In consequence, their availability for absorption is probably also reduced, the growth depression of layers fed on diets high in calcium may be partly caused by the decreased availability of other minerals needed for growth

Calcium tolerance of growing chickens may be increased by ensuring that there are higher than normal levels of the other required minerals in the diet. A diet containing too much calcium can be a serious problem for young chicks and growing birds under 18 weeks of age. The recommended level for calcium is 1% or below for these birds; layer feed has up to four times this amount, so you should never feed it to birds less than 18 weeks

Causes

1. A diet which includes 2.5% or more calcium fed to young birds can cause visceral gout, nephrotic and calcium urate deposits in the ureters leading from the kidneys, and sometimes high mortality

2. Excess calcium is easily converted into crystals which then block the tubules of the kidneys. This can lead to death, often several months later when the stress and metabolic demands of laying eggs starts, or if they contract a disease such as infectious Bronchitis which also can affect the kidneys

3. Excess calcium can occur when a hen consumes too much supplemental calcium and doesn’t use the excess. There are two signs that indicate varying degrees of too much calcium consumption

4. Hyperkalemia causes damage to the heart and other organs, is toxic to the liver, and causes the kidneys to calcify (gout), this occurs when there is truly too much calcium in the diet and the young layer’s body doesn’t know how to handle it all    

5. Too much calcium can tie up phosphorous, making it unavailable. It can also cause rickets such as soft and rubbery bones, the same as if they were getting too little calcium

6. A diet containing too much calcium can be a serious problem for young chicks and growing birds under 18 weeks of age. The recommended level for calcium is 1% or below for these birds; layer feed has up to four times this amount, so you should never feed it to birds under 18 weeks

7. When chicks were fed excessive calcium, some of them manifested the toes and legs bent in an abnormal direction and final inability to walk in proportion to the dose of calcium

8. Excess calcium in a chicken's system can lead to extra uric acid in the kidneys, causing blockages. Additionally, too much calcium causes soft bones, more commonly known as rickets

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Symptoms

Unable to work proper

It causes abdominal pain

It affects the bone 

It cause constipation

It cause them to have diarrhea

Irregular heartbeat

Muscle twitching

Reduced feed consumption

Prevention

1. Feeding a mixed diet to chicks which includes layer feed plus other scraps mixed in may reduce the serious incidence of kidney damage from the extra calcium. The layer feed would have to be less than a quarter of the chick’s daily intake of food, and then you would have to be aware of the calcium levels of other foods you might add like yoghurt, milk, whey or even dog roll, as these can have a reasonably high calcium level

2. Chicks and growing birds have a relatively small appetite so even feeding them 50% layer feed and 50% scraps or wheat or greens means they would still be getting twice as much calcium as they need

3. Chicks under 18 weeks don't need extra calcium. They get all the calcium they need in their feed. Giving young chickens more calcium than their fluffy bodies can absorb causes kidney damage and decreases their lifespan

4. Young laying hens called pullets, need less calcium than fully grown adults, Pullets require 2.75 grams daily. Adult laying hens, older than one year, need 4-5 grams of calcium daily. Correct calcium levels in hens mean they doesn't have to deplete their bones of calcium to make eggshells

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Frequently ask questions

Q: How do you know when there is an overdose calcium in a young layer?

A: When they are unable to eat and inability to walk properly

Q: When there is an excess calcium in the system of the young layers what can you do to control the situation?

A: You have to reduce the quantity of feed to be less than a quarter of the chick’s daily intake of food, and then you would have to be aware of the calcium levels of other foods you intend to give 

Q: Can young layers consume calcium daily? 

A: Yes but it should be of little quantity, because they have different calcium requirements for different life stages