- Dec 5, 2010
- 821
- 48
- 133
Been through this several times too, and mustard eggs don't work unfortunately. They have a small deterrent effect that doesn't last very long.
Things that can help are:
1. roll nests.
2. increase calcium and/or vitamin D to harden eggshells. Worming birds sometimes improves shell quality.
3. Isolate culprits in a plain shed or run with no nestboxes! Hens lay on the open floor and find it hard to break eggs that easily roll away. This can actually cure the habit if you do it long enough.
4. Keep nestboxes as dark as possible and if possible raise them so eggs are out of line-of-sight.
5. Increase protein and hang greens so birds have something else to do and no need for egg treats.
6. Last but not least, make sure no egg-predators can get in, or all your good work will be for nothing, because the habit will begin again.
You may also cull the whole flock and start again, but that's pretty drastic. I will say though, if I see a rooster egg eating, he's a goner. The habit is very very catchy!
Good luck,
Erica
Things that can help are:
1. roll nests.
2. increase calcium and/or vitamin D to harden eggshells. Worming birds sometimes improves shell quality.
3. Isolate culprits in a plain shed or run with no nestboxes! Hens lay on the open floor and find it hard to break eggs that easily roll away. This can actually cure the habit if you do it long enough.
4. Keep nestboxes as dark as possible and if possible raise them so eggs are out of line-of-sight.
5. Increase protein and hang greens so birds have something else to do and no need for egg treats.
6. Last but not least, make sure no egg-predators can get in, or all your good work will be for nothing, because the habit will begin again.
You may also cull the whole flock and start again, but that's pretty drastic. I will say though, if I see a rooster egg eating, he's a goner. The habit is very very catchy!
Good luck,
Erica
