Egg Eating Cure?

[BunnyLover44]

Hey,

So this morning I went to go check for my eggs from yesterday's laying. I found two... BUT they where covered in a light covering of yoke! The nesting area was damp with yoke too. I figured out which chicken it was, but it is my favorite one!

What should I do?? Is there a cure for this? Or do I have to give it away?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks
BunnyLover44

 

[Nupe]

From what I've read, layer feed should only be fed to hens who are laying. The feed itself is nothing more than a 16% protein feed with extra calcium for egg production. As I understand it, if the calcium doesn't go to making eggshells, it doesn't filter out easily and can cause kidney stones. If anything, growing chicks should never get layer feed. It can interfere with proper growth.

There are those who feed layer to the whole flock and say they have no issue. Many have said their roosters do just fine on layer pellets but most I've seen, the flock also free ranges. Since I am unable to free range my flock due to predators, I won't bother feeding layer at all. I have 16 pullets and 2 roos. My feed store has a 20% protein pellet called Rock-N-Rooster that I feed. When they're old enough to lay, I'll just offer oyster shell. They also get scratch, veggie scraps and grass clippings, at least until I get my fodder system up and running.

You seemed surprised that I mentioned changing the food so I did some extra research before posting. I hate to give bad advice, especially when there are so many differing opinions. I don't want to tell anyone they're doing it wrong when I'm an amateur myself. What I found was various opinions based on health of the birds and convenience of feeding a mixed flock. I did find that a molting bird needs more protein to regrow the feathers and a little extra fat for the oil gland.

As far as how long this will last, the best answer I can find is, it takes as long as it takes. I've seen it mentioned to last as little as 3 weeks and as long as 6 months. Some drop most of their feathers at once and some drop and replace a few feathers at a time. Laying is sporadic and sometimes non-existent during this time. I wonder if offering the high protein feed and treats can help speed it up.

Hope this helps.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/922469/grower-or-layer-feed-for-mixed-age-flock

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/33460/feeding-roosters

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/229165/can-rooster-eat-layer-food

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/93527/how-long-do-chickens-molt

 

[BunnyLover44]

UPDATE:

I thank you all for the advise given, haven't had a broken egg in over a month! My molting chicken is thankfully going through a light molting stage and should be over soon. I am so happy there hasn't been any more crushed, eated, or broken eggs!

Going to gather eggs now.

BunnyLover44

 

[fleedo]

you could put golf balls in as fack eggs when they try to eat it they will get a nasty shock when they peack at it

 

[BunnyLover44]

Does the golf balls have a lasting affect? Because I don't want to have another egg eater later on. I just go these chickens a year ago and they just started to lay.

 

[welasharon]

Why don't you wait and see if this is a problem or an isolated incident? Occasionally an egg will break in the nest. You would want them to clean that out and not draw ants in. Unless you saw her break it you can't be sure that she is breaking them to eat them as opposed to taking advantage of a broken egg. I try to collect the eggs each afternoon so they don't lay in the nests also.

 

[whittychick]

I thought mine were eating them too but some would break from others laying on them. Otherwise put fake eggs around...not sure how long it will last but it's supposed to help. Good luck!

 

[fleedo]

with the golf balls if you just use them as fack eggs forever it will make sure (hopefully) that it does not happen again

 

[BunnyLover44]

Wow thanks for all the advice!
I will wait and see if it was an accident or on purpose. While I wait I will also use the golf ball. I'll keep you all updated on how it goes.

Thanks so much!

BunnyLover44

 

[BunnyLover44]

So its been a couple of weeks and still no sign of egg eating.

Occasionally an egg will break in the nest. You would want them to clean that out and not draw ants in. Unless you saw her break it you can't be sure that she is breaking them to eat them as opposed to taking advantage of a broken egg.

I think your right welasharon, the hen just took advantage of the egg.

Although there isn't any egg eating problems so far, I have noticed that the hen I suspected is loosing a lot of feathers. I think it might be molting, but am not sure, any advice for molting hens?