Dropped an egg in the coop, feeding frenzy ensued

[James207]

Hey BYC folks,
So, I have six Black Dorking hens and a rooster. They are all 11 months old and appear to be molting. This afternoon during my afternoon egg run, I dropped an egg in the coop. Before I could blink, one hen grabbed the largest piece of shell and ran like Franco Harris out to the run for the winning TD. The rest other hens gobbled up the rest of the egg. It was gone in 30 seconds.
I’ve never given them eggs cooked or otherwise. That was the first time those chickens got a taste of their own raw egg. So I’m a bit worried. Should I now be concerned about the possibility that they have learned they can eat their own eggs? Thank you for any insight.

Jim

 

[Isabella7Storm5]

I would keep an eye on them for a bit. My hens have have eggs quiet often and I havent had a problem though. Should be fine

 

[Percheron chick]

Before I could blink, one hen grabbed the largest piece of shell and ran like Franco Harris out to the run for the winning TD.

You are showing your age.
It happens. When I break an egg, the girls get it. It hasn't created egg eaters. The dogs however are a different matter.

 

[pandabunny26]

Hey BYC folks,
So, I have six Black Dorking hens and a rooster. They are all 11 months old and appear to be molting. This afternoon during my afternoon egg run, I dropped an egg in the coop. Before I could blink, one hen grabbed the largest piece of shell and ran like Franco Harris out to the run for the winning TD. The rest other hens gobbled up the rest of the egg. It was gone in 30 seconds.
I’ve never given them eggs cooked or otherwise. That was the first time those chickens got a taste of their own raw egg. So I’m a bit worried. Should I now be concerned about the possibility that they have learned they can eat their own eggs? Thank you for any insight.

Jim

Since they didn't see that it was their egg, they should be fine. I don't think they'll make that connection. Our hens get broken eggs and shells, just well crushed up and we've never had an egg eater

 

[aart]

This made me chuckle.
Long ago, before I had chickens, I used to chicken-sit for some friends.
He showed me what to do if I found a cracked egg, he threw it on the ground with the exact same results as you described.

A soft or broken egg is fair game, it won't make them start to break good whole and hard eggs.

 

[Sally PB]

ran like Franco Harris out to the run for the winning TD.

A true Steelers fan.