Dine-A-Chook 50ml Mega Mineral Chicken Supplement

If the problem is mineral-related, it should help. Soft shells often indicate more than just a calcium shortage — your hens also need phosphorus and manganese to utilise calcium properly, plus zinc for shell membrane formation. Mega Mineral provides all of these. If shell grit alone hasn't solved it, trace minerals are the logical next step. Most keepers see shell improvements within 2–3 weeks if deficiency was the cause.

Dull, lifeless feathers are a classic sign of mineral deficiency. Feathers are 85% protein (keratin), built with sulphur and copper. Zinc supports the growth process. If your birds are getting good feed but still have poor feather quality, trace minerals are worth trying. Expect 4–8 weeks before you see real improvement — feathers grow slowly, but new growth should come in healthier.

Moult is extremely mineral-intensive — your hens are regrowing thousands of feathers while their appetite often drops. Zinc, manganese, and sulphur all support feather regrowth. Increasing the dose to 6–8 drops per litre during active moult provides extra support when they need it most. Many keepers use Mega Mineral specifically for moult season.

It depends on the issue. Shell quality can improve within 2–3 weeks. Feather improvements take longer — 4–8 weeks — because feathers grow slowly. Energy and vitality changes can be more subtle and gradual. The 50ml bottle gives you 3–5 months of daily use, which is enough time to see whether it's making a difference for your flock.

No — use them together. Shell grit provides calcium, which laying hens need in large amounts. Mega Mineral provides the other trace minerals (phosphorus, manganese, zinc, etc.) that help the body actually use that calcium, plus all the minerals needed for feathers, immune function, and overall health. They complement each other.

Possibly. If there's no obvious illness, mineral deficiency is worth investigating. Cobalt (needed for B12 production), selenium, and iron all play roles in energy and vitality. Low-level deficiency often shows up as birds that just seem "flat" without any clear symptoms. It's a simple, low-risk thing to try before assuming something more serious.

Chelated minerals are bonded to amino acids — molecules the body already knows how to absorb. Many cheap supplements use inorganic minerals that pass straight through without being absorbed. Chelated minerals hitchhike into the bloodstream where they can actually do something. It's why the dose is small (4–5 drops) but effective.

Yes. They do different things. Apple cider vinegar is often used for gut health and general wellness. Mega Mineral provides specific trace minerals that address deficiencies. There's no conflict between them — many keepers use both.

Yes — in fact, recovery periods are one of the times when extra mineral support can be beneficial. Selenium and Vitamin E support immune function, and the body needs minerals to repair and rebuild. You can increase to 6–8 drops per litre during recovery. However, if your bird is seriously ill, see a vet — mineral supplementation isn't a substitute for medical treatment.

If you've been using it consistently for a few weeks and haven't noticed improvement, there may be other factors at play — feed quality, environmental stress, underlying health issues, or simply that mineral deficiency wasn't the cause. Reach out to us — we're happy to talk through your situation and help troubleshoot.

Yes. Manufactured in Australia. Dine-A-Chook is an Australian family business based in Queensland — we've been helping backyard chicken keepers for over 15 years.

If you're seeing results and plan to continue daily use, the 250ml bottle is usually the best value for backyard flocks — it lasts 1.5–2.5 years for 4–6 birds and works out to around $2 per month. The 50ml is designed as a starting point to see if it helps before committing to a larger size.