One Ingredient. Colour, Calcium, Protein and Gut Health.
DecaRed — the natural, multifunctional shell ingredient
redefining organic layer feed formulations.
Organic and free-range egg production places high demands on feed formulation. Ingredients must be natural, traceable and effective, while helping producers simplify recipes, reduce input costs and meet the growing expectations of retailers and consumers. DecaRed, our crab shell ingredient, does all of this in one product.
Naturally Deeper Yolk Colour — Without Paprika or Synthetic Pigments
Egg yolk colour is one of the most visible quality signals for consumers and buyers. Conventional formulations often rely on added paprika extract, marigold flour or synthetic carotenoids to achieve consistent yolk pigmentation. DecaRed offers a natural alternative.
Crab shells contain astaxanthin, the same marine carotenoid responsible for the pink-red colouration of wild salmon and shrimp. In a 4-week feeding trial conducted by Aarhus University (Steenfeldt & Hammershøj, 2025, UpForCrabs project), egg-laying hens fed diets containing crab meal produced eggs with significantly darker, more reddish yolk colour compared to control hens fed standard soy-based diets, with the effect increasing at higher inclusion levels (P<0.001).
Highly Digestible Calcium for Strong Eggshell Formation
Eggshell quality depends directly on the hen’s calcium supply and its bioavailability. Crab shells are naturally rich in calcium carbonate — the same mineral that forms eggshells — in a form that research has shown to be highly digestible and well-suited for supporting skeletal and eggshell mineralisation. Using DecaRed as part of the mineral package can reduce or replace separate limestone or bivalve shell inclusion in the formulation, streamlining recipes and consolidating mineral inputs.
Protein Contributing to Egg Mass and Production Performance
In the Aarhus University trial, hens fed crab meal at both 5% and 10% inclusion levels showed a positive trend in egg laying percentage, egg weight and feed conversion compared to controls, with egg weight reaching statistical significance (P<0.01). The albumen dry matter content (reflecting egg protein) was also significantly highest in hens fed the 10% crab diet (P<0.05), suggesting that crab meal supports egg protein deposition. The researchers noted no effect on feed intake across groups, confirming that crab meal raises no palatability concerns in layer diets.
Chitin for Gut Health Across Age Groups
The chitin naturally present in crab shells has functional effects on gastrointestinal health. Research indicates chitin can support beneficial microbial balance in the gut, and its structural properties may promote healthy intestinal transit. For organic producers who face restrictions on prophylactic antibiotic use and growth promoters, chitin from crab shells represents a natural alternative for supporting gut function.
Astaxanthin
Consistent, attractive yolk colour without synthetic pigments
Digestible Calcium
Strong eggshell formation
Marine Protein
Contributes to egg mass and production performance
Natural Chitin
Supports gut health and nutrient utilisation
A Circular, Low-Emission Ingredient for Organic Systems
DecaRed is sourced from crabs harvested along the Danish coastline with low climate emissions and minimal environmental footprint. As a by-product of the crab processing chain, it turns a waste fraction into a high-value functional ingredient — a story that resonates strongly with organic certification bodies, sustainable feed standards and environmentally aware retail buyers.
Discuss Your Formulation
Request technical data sheets or explore how DecaRed can simplify your organic layer feed recipe while adding yolk colour, calcium, protein and gut health support.