Chickens breaking eggs.

[daolivarez]

I need help! I have a hen that is breaking eggs. She is not eating them though, she just barely breaks the shell enough that i have to throw the egg out. Can someone tell me why she might be doing this and how to fix the problem?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Is it a poke hole, that usually is caused by a toenail, if they are pecking them than they would be eating them

 

[trailrider330]

Just curious... What are you using to line the nest? Straw? Shavings? Something else? Maybe you could play around with trying different materials, or a thicker layer of material, and see if that helps.

Also, is she getting enough calcium? If part of the problem leading to broken eggs is caused by a thinner shell, perhaps she would benefit from more calcium in her diet? Maybe you can try to give her some added calcium (like free range oyster shells if you do not already) and see if that helps.

 

[daolivarez]

Thanks for the replies, I am currently using straw layered pretty thick. I will try some oyster shells and see if that helps

 

[patchulie1]

In June I started having a big problem with my hens pecking the eggs and then eating them. I couldn't figure out which one was doing it! So I got some fake porcelain eggs from the feed store. I put one in each nesting box (I have 3 boxes). Then I made sure for a couple of weeks that I checked the nest boxes late morning and again in the afternoon to take out the real eggs soon after they were laid. I had to mark the fake eggs with an X with a Sharpie pen because they look so real. This totally worked! I guess hitting porcelain eggs with their beaks didn't feel very good. No more broken eggs.

 

[patchulie1]

Oh I forgot to mention I did add a lot more calcium and protein to their diet as that may have been the reason the problem started!