ALL my hens are eating eggs. ARRGH!

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SMHChickens said:
Quote: What are the protein and calcium levels on the feeds you are using? Look on the labels.
Keep the oyster and egg shells in a different container......don't mix it in with the feed.

It's hard to say if they will keep doing it or not, first you have to find out why they are doing it.

Evaluating the size of coop (feet by feet) and number of birds...as well as looking at their nutrition levels are the first steps.
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SMHChickens said:
Well, folks... the verdict is in on mustard eggs.... my girls absolutely gobble them up.
barnie.gif
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If they're willing to eat mustard eggs, it sounds like they're needing the extra calories during this cold spell. Might want to increase their protein and make sure they have feed available all during the day to eat as they need it.
 
How about giving them something else to peck? If it is boredom due to being cooped up a flock block, cabbage, or tray of sprouts might be more interesting than eggs. Still feed a higher protein food (20%) in case the cause is dietary. Also consider installing curtains on the nest boxes. It sounds silly but as they say "out of sight, out of mind". I'd recommend constructing a covered run this summer so that if you do manage to break them of it, you don't find yourself with the same problem next winter.
 
To give you time to sort out the rest of the issues that could be at play here in having caused the habit to start, time to use roll-away nests. The function of these nests is that the eggs roll out of reach of the hens into a "safe" spot where they are no longer accessible - thus keeping them whole and available to you for gathering.
 
Ol Grey Mare said:
To give you time to sort out the rest of the issues that could be at play here in having caused the habit to start, time to use roll-away nests.  The function of these nests is that the eggs roll out of reach of the hens into a "safe" spot where they are no longer accessible - thus keeping them whole and available to you for gathering.
Click to expand...


But difficult to install in an already too small coop during the winter.
 
I am in the same boat with my hens eating the eggs. I tried the mustard in the egg bit and they ate the egg AND the mustard! I am going to try increasing the protein intake.
 

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