Eating their own eggs...

[Shan]

Hmmmm...need I say more

My girls started eating their own eggs...it's a race each morning to get a couple of eggs before they get to them... How do you stop this???? They are WELL fed... plenty of water and nothing has changed. They are going outside as they please and have a lot to keep them busy now that the groud is not frozen...

Can anyone help?

Shan

 

[allen wranch]

Once egg eating starts, it is hard to stop. It can also be contagious.

Filling some eggs with mustard is supposed to help. You might also put some fake eggs in the nest so they will peck them and realize they are not going to break. Trying to get to the eggs before the girls do is good and hopefully will help break the cycle.

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

This should help:

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/EP70.pdf

 

[allen wranch]

Eggcellent article. Thanks...

 

[Gersbud]

Had the same problem a month back. Came here for answers
and was told that they may need more protein in their diets.
Told to give them Cat food and a higher protein diet.
Haven't lost and egg since. I went from 1 or 2 eggs a day to
having over 18 a day. Good Luck. I give them extra treats too. Keeps them busy

 

[bigzio]

Shan, extra protein in the diet makes a world of difference. If you can darken the nesting area with a material hanging in front of the entrance with a slit cut in the middle for them to enter, also helps cause hens won't bother eggs they can't see.

bigzio