breaking eggs

[annetteu]

We are new to this, but we have a RIR hen that has recently started laying for us and we have gotten 2 from her so far. But we caught our Black hen eating one of her eggs. Since we caught her ( The Black) doing this our RIR has started standing when she lays and the eggs are breaking when they land in the nesting box. We tried putting hay in the nesting box but they keep kicking all the hay out so the eggs are hitting the bottom (plywood) of the box. is there something else we could use that would be safe for our girls but also save the egg? or is this not a normal laying issue. Please any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[tclegg]

We use the black rubber feed tubs---the kind you can get for horses...etc...you can get them from TSC for about $6.00..We place one in the nesting box and then put our pine shavings in them. Makes hen feel secure because just the right size--nice and cozy. Also, she cannot push the chips out of the box because the sides of the tubs come up around her. Then when she lays even if she does stand up the egg drops in the chips and has a soft rubber bottom to hit instead of hard wood. I was having the same problem. I am only getting 3 eggs a day so far (16 hens)--only 4 are ready to lay. But every day at least one would be broke because of that reason. Since we have done that--not one has been broken...Just an idea...

 

[lollimama]

Mine are doing the same thing! They kick all the straw out of their way and then lay down, the rascals I read on here somewhere that someone had suggested putting a carpet scrap in their and I think I'm gonna try that - it would be hard for them to kick that out of the way. I hope it helps! Good luck to you!

 

[SuperChicken07]

We put a piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting in our boxes for just that reason.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I had the same problem and what I did was cut a couple pieces of cardboard and put them in the bottom followed by pine shavings

Worked VERY well...never had another broken egg. What I did have to do though after several months is replace the cardboard because they did scratch it up a bit. But it's FREE so no big deal

Good luck. Oh and with the hen who's eating the eggs I would remove her until your sure they are not breaking anymore...hopefully she is only eating them because they cracked and will not start breaking them on her own just to eat them! THEN you have BIG problems and rarely can you stop a hen from egg eating once they start..and they will teach the others as well.

 

[newchickens2009]

I had the same prob with hens eating eggs. The only way I got it to stop was to make roll-away nest boxes. Hey... they can't eat them if they can't get to them.
Here's a great link..... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=287684

 

[annetteu]

Thank You All for the suggestions we will give it a try and see what happens and let you know of the progress.

 

[JodyJo]

Quote:
Mine aren't shoving the wood shavings out but what a great idea anyhow! Love it....

BTW, I use shavings...about 3 inches deep, they make a groove and settle in...not all my girls are laying yet, but so far, so good.

You may need to get rid of the hen eating the eggs...I hear that is a BAD habit that cannot be broken...good luck!

 

[tclegg]

Well also the black rubber tubs--can easily be taken out dirty chips dumped--cleaned and sanitized all in one swoop...saves alot of time..plus giving the ladies alittle bit of privacy because the edge of the dish comes up somewhat to sheild them..They seem to like this arrangement and I do to. Makes iteasier to clean and no broken eggs.
As for an egg eater, it was posted on here before to blow out the insides of a raw egg and take a syringe and fill with hot pepper sauce or vaseline place egg back in nest and once they break egg to eat--they get the nasty stuff and that will stop them eating the eggs--I have never tried this--because have not had that problem (knock on wood)...maybe that might be an idea...Good Luck...

 

[Nicole01]

We feed oyster shell and our eggs are really hard. Our RIR started laying last week and our SS laid today. The oyster shell is working well with no broken eggs. Our nest boxes are made out of 100% solid oak wood and the girls kick the pine chips out of the way. I was worried they would break, but I'm having a tough time cracking them myself.. If we do put something down, we would put a rubber mat in the boxes. They are easy to clean.