Crap. I found the remains of an egg today.

[BigBlueHen53]

I've had several soft shell and/or shell-less eggs this year, and some of the hens even went so far as to clean them up. And then, I found an egg or two with a peck mark, and not only that but I actually did catch two of the hens eating eggs in the nest. But when I came in and caught them "red-handed" so to speak, they both let out a blood-curdling scream and fled from the hen house in terror! This is going to sound like I'm anthropomorphizing, I know, but it really was just like a couple of school girls that got caught with their hands in the cookie jar! And honest to goodness, they never did it again! So I would not worry too much about it happening once or twice with a soft shell egg. If one breaks in the nest, it's instinct that makes them clean it up. It does not mean they will become egg-eaters. Just pick up the eggs every day and keep an eye on them.

 

[chx]

What are you feeding? Do you provide any extra calcium such as oyster shells?
When pullets first start to lay it is not unusual for them to have an egg that is not quite what it should be, so a soft shell egg is possible.
If you do find that one of your birds is eating fully shelled eggs, I suggest increasing protein and providing extra calcium. Many egg eating cases are due to a lack of nutrition.

I feed them all-flock pellets and do provide calcium (oyster shell) by throwing it out in their run so they can scratch around for it as is their natural behavior.

I'm happy to report that after about a week I haven't found any more egg remains, so it sounds like a soft-shelled egg was the likely scenario! Thank you to everyone who replied, I really do appreciate it! Wishing a happy Thansgiving to all!

 

[Squawkers]

I feed them all-flock pellets and do provide calcium (oyster shell) by throwing it out in their run so they can scratch around for it as is their natural behavior.

I'm happy to report that after about a week I haven't found any more egg remains, so it sounds like a soft-shelled egg was the likely scenario! Thank you to everyone who replied, I really do appreciate it! Wishing a happy Thansgiving to all!

Yay! Thanks, you too!

 

[GracePoultry]

some people would recommend dispatching the egg eating hen but all of my chickens are pets and I would never cull them. I have an entire flock of egg eating chickens, and the only way I can get eggs is if I put a small hole in an egg and fill it up with mustard. if I put 2-3 of those in the nesting boxes every day for 3 days I'll get an egg or 2. However I don't really care enough to keep this up so I'm buying roll away nesting boxes. I'm sure someone has mentioned this but you can also try wooden eggs. goodluck!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

some people would recommend dispatching the egg eating hen but all of my chickens are pets and I would never cull them. I have an entire flock of egg eating chickens, and the only way I can get eggs is if I put a small hole in an egg and fill it up with mustard. if I put 2-3 of those in the nesting boxes every day for 3 days I'll get an egg or 2. However I don't really care enough to keep this up so I'm buying roll away nesting boxes. I'm sure someone has mentioned this but you can also try wooden eggs. goodluck!

What % protein feed are you giving them? A whole flock actively egg eating indicates a protein deficiency.

 

[GracePoultry]

What % protein feed are you giving them? A whole flock actively egg eating indicates a protein deficiency.

18% protein. It all started after I had a fox attack and I was scared of free ranging my chickens for a while (now the dogs keep them safe) so they were cooped up in their run for a long time. It isn't too small or anything, they just weren't used to not getting any grass. I think one pecked one out of boredom or pecked one on accident and now they know if they peck the eggs they get a tasty treat

 

[Muffett]

Blow out some eggs and fill them with yellow or orange dish soap. Up the protein on their feed.

I have the egg eating problem too and they get lots of protein. Soldier worms daily 16% protein pellets and meat scraps. What else should I give them?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

All-flock is about 22% protein. It's what I feed as I have a rooster and some non-layers. Those that are actively laying help themselves to the oyster shell.

 

[nuthatched]

I have the egg eating problem too and they get lots of protein. Soldier worms daily 16% protein pellets and meat scraps. What else should I give them?

High protein feed, not worms and meat scraps. Worms are not good as protein since they're mostly fat. 16% is the bare minimum protein they need to live and they eggs.

 

[Mrs. K]

Putting curtains up can help, or a little higher lip on the nest. Out of sight, out of mind. The roll away nests are a good solution too.

Mrs K