Breaking eggs

[Ol mcmissy]

i have been fighting with egg breaking/eating. My girls get oyster shells a flock block and I give their eggs shells back after I use and bake them. I have figured out it is 1-2 of them doing it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

How often do you collect your eggs? Once they get a taste of the eggs it can occur more frequently

 

[Peppercorngal]

i have been fighting with egg breaking/eating. My girls get oyster shells a flock block and I give their eggs shells back after I use and bake them. I have figured out it is 1-2 of them doing it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

First of all I would not give their egg shells to them. Even when baked they are too much like. . . eggshells! it's encourages them to egg eat. I'd just give them oyster shell on the side. Second, if possible, I'd collect the eggs 3 or even 4 times thorough out the day to give them little to no access to the eggs. You may not be able to do that, but maybe Husband, Son, Daughter, Neighbor can help with that? If the eggs are not there they can't eat them. Third I would be sure they have plenty of food, good chicken pellets, layer feed or all flock feed. I would supplement that with healthy snacks like mealworms, greens and once a month yogurt, it's good for them! Good luck, it's a difficult habit to break and I'm pulling for you.

 

[aart]

Even when baked they are too much like. . . eggshells! it's encourages them to egg eat

Totally false.

i have been fighting with egg breaking/eating. My girls get oyster shells a flock block and I give their eggs shells back after I use and bake them. I have figured out it is 1-2 of them doing it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How long has this been going on?
How old are you birds and how long have they been laying?
Do you have a crowding issue, too many birds in too small of a space?
Are you finding any remaining shells?
Thin/soft shells are easily broken.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @Ol mcmissy
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Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[Ol mcmissy]

I have about 20 hens in a coop large enough for 75. (I cannot remember exact size just number of hens I can have in it). Most are just over a year but the 2-3 I have seen yolk on are older. (Not sure on age) I collect eggs several times a day and I usually loose 1-2 a day. They are free range during day and locked up at night. They get layer mix from our local feed store. Greens, watermelon, and lots of clover from their pasture. I have a hanging feeder and spread feed on ground outside. They get fresh water at least 2x a day sometimes more. Usually they just break the eggs and eat everything inside. I’ve tried the mustard trick and separated a couple hens but then they acted depressed.