Anyone know if you can stop a chicken from eating eggs? or why they are doing it?

[litleme28]

Iv got Lavender Orpingtons going on second season..I planned to retier them soon, but not this soon..lol.. despite feeding calcium grit, layer feed, fruit, veggies, ect..theres one (maybe more than one?) eating eggs..I cant seem to determin witch one..and theres no way for peditors to get in..so I know there eating them..iv found pecked/eaten eggs..and now Im not getting any eggs! Any suggestions? I guess if all eles fails..I just retier them now,..Iv got Cream Legbar chicks and Eggs out of Greenfire Im offering now so seems to be in much higher demand..but have had some requests for Lavenders.. :/ Also anyone eles get mostly pullets when hatching legbars? Thats what Im getting..this is my second hatch and both times almost all pullets Oh If anyone is interested..I do have chicks and Eggs available..Ill ship eggs, but chicks are pick up only..They are excellent qaulity from reputable stock. Just message me if interested or want pics. But back to the egg eaters..I could really use some suggestions..I have no clue why they are doing it..or if they can be stoped..Iv never had chickens do that before...huuuummmm :/

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Is the "calcium grit" one thing, or two? Because grit does not provide calcium and oyster shells (extra calcium) does not provide grit. So make sure you have both. As for stopping it - darken the nestboxes. There are many ways to do it, but this is the only thing that worked for me. IF this doesn't work, here are some other thing. -
Blow out and egg and put mustard in it. When the chicken(s) eat it, they'll get the mustard. This supposedly stops it, but my chickens liked mustard. :/
Add more shavings to the box - maybe they are breaking themselves and the hens are eating them. OR if this is not true....
take away the shavings so when the hen pecks the egg, it rolls away.
Or make a roll-away nesting box, so the eggs go down a chute and into a collecting box that the chickens can't reach.

 

[litleme28]

The chute idia is a good one! I didnt think of that! They have both oyster shell and grit, they also get fruit, vetiables, grain, and greens..so thats why I cant belive it to be a lack of mineral/nutritional needs..its got me stumped as to why all of a sudden they would start doing this..but Ill try the chute idia..I like that Thank You

 

[litleme28]

oh as for the mustard..thats neat too..but something tells me they will eat that too..lol..

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Your welcome! LOL yeah they probably would.