Egg Eater Decoys?

[Cee]

How do I make the egg hollow?
And then how do I fill it up with an unpleasant tasting surprise?

 

[CluckerFamily]

When we were in kindergarten and we decorated eggs for the easter tree we poked a hole on each end of the egg and blew the inside out.

 

[Cee]

When we were in kindergarten and we decorated eggs for the easter tree we poked a hole on each end of the egg and blew the inside out.

Thanks! Now I just need to figure out how and what to fill the decoy eggs with.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Thanks! Now I just need to figure out how and what to fill the decoy eggs with.

I'm not sure what you fill them with. I think some people do a type of mustard.
If I have an egg eater I gather the eggs more often if possible. Some people do a roll-away nesting box instead.

 

[Aapomp831]

I'm not sure what you fill them with. I think some people do a type of mustard.
If I have an egg eater I gather the eggs more often if possible. Some people do a roll-away nesting box instead.

The rollaway nesting box is best. Some chickens love mustard - and you don’t want to do soap bc it could be toxic. An egg eater is a tough issue - we had to cull our last one bc she wouldn’t stop and we have 20 pullets that are coming up on POL and we didn’t want to teach them this awful habit.
Another thing you may want to consider is adding more protein to their diets. The winter months are tough and require more protein (and moderate amounts of carbs like corn) to give their bodies the extra boost to stay warm and lay eggs - although production does decrease significantly with most breeds. I would try increasing the protein in their diet so they aren’t going to the eggs to get it and get yourself a rollaway nesting box.

 

[Cee]

The rollaway nesting box is best. Some chickens love mustard - and you don’t want to do soap bc it could be toxic. An egg eater is a tough issue - we had to cull our last one bc she wouldn’t stop and we have 20 pullets that are coming up on POL and we didn’t want to teach them this awful habit.
Another thing you may want to consider is adding more protein to their diets. The winter months are tough and require more protein (and moderate amounts of carbs like corn) to give their bodies the extra boost to stay warm and lay eggs - although production does decrease significantly with most breeds. I would try increasing the protein in their diet so they aren’t going to the eggs to get it and get yourself a rollaway nesting box.

Thanks for all the ideas. They are eating a 22% feed (with oyster shell on the side) as I have ducks and cockerels in the flock.
I have lots of considerations.
I am trying to gather eggs more often.
I know about the expensive roll away nest boxes.
I don't know who is doing it and they all look the same. I have 17.
I cannot afford cameras.
Money and time is really tight.
I thought I'd start with filling eggs and then maybe trying paint trays in the nest boxes in lieu of roll away nest boxes.
But seriously I am watching every penny right now. Here in NM we are on shutdown and the place I work is closed for at least 2 weeks.
So filling eggs with soap sounded like something I could handle with things I have on hand.
Kindly tell me about non toxic soap?

 

[MarkJr]

Thanks for all the ideas. They are eating a 22% feed (with oyster shell on the side) as I have ducks and cockerels in the flock.
I have lots of considerations.
I am trying to gather eggs more often.
I know about the expensive roll away nest boxes.
I don't know who is doing it and they all look the same. I have 17.
I cannot afford cameras.
Money and time is really tight.
I thought I'd start with filling eggs and then maybe trying paint trays in the nest boxes in lieu of roll away nest boxes.
But seriously I am watching every penny right now. Here in NM we are on shutdown and the place I work is closed for at least 2 weeks.
So filling eggs with soap sounded like something I could handle with things I have on hand.
Kindly tell me about non toxic soap?

Dawn dish soap won’t kill them.

 

[MarkJr]

If you have the materials and can do it.... split your flock and identify what half is eating eggs. Mark them with zip ties on foot. Split the egg eating in half again and put remaining half back with non egg eating group. If eaters go into larger group, cut bands from small group and throw them in with good birds. Split leg banded in half again. Rinse and repeat until you find your offender(s).

I personally cull. It’s a learned trait, and they may just learn to eat faster than you can teach them not to.

 

[Cee]

If you have the materials and can do it.... split your flock and identify what half is eating eggs. Mark them with zip ties on foot. Split the egg eating in half again and put remaining half back with non egg eating group. If eaters go into larger group, cut bands from small group and throw them in with good birds. Split leg banded in half again. Rinse and repeat until you find your offender(s).

I personally cull. It’s a learned trait, and they may just learn to eat faster than you can teach them not to.

Thanks Mark. Appreciate the advice.