Cracked eggs in the nest boxes

[Summer98]

Every day it seems, I get a few eggs in the nest boxes that are cracked. I believe the hens are pecking at the eggs when the egg is not their own. At least they aren't eating the eggs, but why would they peck at it? I'm also wondering if the large, Brahma girls are cracking them when they sit atop them (due to their heavier weight)? I hate to throw away a wasted egg just because it has a crack in it, but I'd like to stop this behavior. Then again, all the chickens are still young and maybe learning yet.

 

[Judy]

That might be a good guess. You could consider rollaway nest boxes. If you're not offering oyster shell or feeding back the eggshells, you could try this. You can give a calcium boost to make the shells harder with a Tums in the water now and then; don't do this every day.

 

[marianne7]

Every day it seems, I get a few eggs in the nest boxes that are cracked. I believe the hens are pecking at the eggs when the egg is not their own. At least they aren't eating the eggs, but why would they peck at it? I'm also wondering if the large, Brahma girls are cracking them when they sit atop them (due to their heavier weight)? I hate to throw away a wasted egg just because it has a crack in it, but I'd like to stop this behavior. Then again, all the chickens are still young and maybe learning yet.

I agree with 'flockwatcher' and also, we had this happen a lot....it could be that the nest is not quite soft enough, try adding some more wood shavings and straw to build the nest up, this worked for us, we still do get some cracked eggs on the odd occasion, but not as many...as before we put more straw in it....

 

[Chetthecomputer]

I would try oyster shell if you are not giving them some already.

 

[Summer98]

I haven't used oyster shell because I thought the layers feed had everything in it. Maybe I am incorrect about that. I can try giving oyster shell too. I have some hay in the nest boxes, but maybe I should use pine shavings instead. I think it probably isn't padded enough and they like to scratch the hay aside with their feet and lay the egg directly on the wood.

They also like to have two or three hens fight for the same box. Silly chickens.

 

[Nicole01]

Layer feed is usually not enough. We use oyster shell. It's cheap and will last forever.