Almost new layer breaking eggs?

[FeatherstoneFrm]

I posted a month or so ago about finding broken eggs in the nest box and was afraid I had an egg eater. Well the breaking stopped and not long after, my young EE and Siklie started laying.
Well, I'm getting broken eggs again. My Appenzeller is the only one who isn't laying yet. I'm wondering if it's possible that the new layers, as they begin to explore the nest are actually the ones breaking the eggs. And maybe this will stop when this last girl starts to lay?
Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are the eggs broken but basically still in the nestboxes? Egg eaters will generally eat most of the evidence. If an egg gets broken hens will often eat the eggs to clean up the nest which is different than egg eating.

How are these eggs broken? Cracks? Holes? Dented holes? How they are broken can sometimes tell you the cause.

New layers are often more vigorous in a nestbox and they can damage eggs that may also be in the box. If there's multiple eggs in a box than new eggs dropped can break those already in the box. Collecting often and keeping the boxes well bedded can help.

 

[azygous]

Like @oldhenlikesdogs I question what the nest condition may be contributing to the breakage. Being sure the nest is well padded with adequate nesting material is the most obvious precaution, and you might line the box underneath with a shock absorbing material.

There is also the option of upgrading your nests to roll-away type so the eggs roll into a pocket rather than accumulating. This is my favorite design.

 

[aart]

@oldhenlikesdogs has asked some pertinent questions.
I will add another, if shell is left in nest is it a thin shell and thus easily broken or good and thick?

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

Thanks for your replies. The shells are pretty smashed but my girls have always had good strong shells so they aren't thin.
The bedding is pine shavings and was a little thin a few days ago so I add more. Still breaking.
I have thought of the roll away nest box but not sure if they will use it. Right now they will only use this deep plastic tub.
Since the shells are still there, I'm going to watch and see if Kevin the Appenzeller (named for the snipe from the movie Up) starts laying in the next few days. Maybe that will solve the problem

 

[wamtazlady]

Amazon has some neat little security cameras at only 25 dollars. They are called Wyze. I just got 2 of them. Was reading that some people here are using them to watch their chickens. The 25 dollar camera is rated for inside but people have been using them in protected outdoor areas such as a coop. Electricity is needed to run the cameras. You could watch and see what is happening.

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

So it looks like Kevin has finally laid her first egg, evedent by the smashed white shell in with the blue and brown ones.
Whoever is doing this doesn't seem to be eating the shells, just the inside of the egg. Oh, and 1 of my fake eggs is missing.
I've been sick with the flu for several days and haven't been able to collect but once a day, which doesn't help, I know. I may look into the camera. I'm also going to build a better coop this spring so I'll be looking at the rollaway nest box idea as well.
This is so frustrating!

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

Update: since Kevin started laying, the egg breaking has stopped. I guess it really was just her trying to figure out the nest box and what to do there.