Ameraucana eating her eggs

[Laceyface]

My Ameraucana, Ramona Quimby, began eating her own eggs a while back. None of the other layers are doing this. However, we have several new ones who will begin laying in about 10 weeks or so. I've been told we need to get rid of her because she will show the new ones how to do this. We're pretty new to the chicken scene, is this something that could happen? How do I get her to quit? They have good layer feed and access to oyster shell. We also give them greens such as purslane, and scraps about every other day.

 

[Sagey_7878]

Try fill old eggs with mustard, drain anything in the egg first. Leave eggs in nest and since chickens hate mustard, she should stop eating eggs! Good luck!

 

[so lucky]

There are some threads on here about roll-away nest boxes. These sound like a great idea for egg eating chickens.

 

[Laceyface]

There are some threads on here about roll-away nest boxes. These sound like a great idea for egg eating chickens.

We got the stuff to do those today. My other problem is that I don't exactly know where she is laying to begin with. I suppose we'll know if we start seeing blue eggs again!

 

[Laceyface]

Try fill old eggs with mustard, drain anything in the egg first. Leave eggs in nest and since chickens hate mustard, she should stop eating eggs! Good luck!

That is a fantastic idea! Thank you!

 

[aart]

My other problem is that I don't exactly know where she is laying to begin with. I suppose we'll know if we start seeing blue eggs again!

Then how do you know she eating them?<scratcheshead>

If you have younger birds, put them all on an all flock feed and offer oyster shell in a separate feeder for the ones laying.

Are the younger and older birds all living in the same coop and run?

How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be a big help here.

 

[Laceyface]

Then how do you know she eating them?<scratcheshead>

If you have younger birds, put them all on an all flock feed and offer oyster shell in a separate feeder for the ones laying.

Are the younger and older birds all living in the same coop and run?

How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be a big help here.

We see bits of shell and yolk. Plus I've caught her mid-chomp a couple of times. The enclosed coop is 5x5 with a 3-tier roost and about 5 feet tall. Ventilated. The run is 6 wide and 14 long. Older and younger are living together but only as of last week and she has been doing this for about 2 months.