Egg Eaters! like rabid piranhas.

[DuckyRayCyrus]

so.... my hens are eating their own eggs like depraved cannibals. they have ample food, the ability to exercise, nest boxes, etc. it is a big problem. i tried to determine which one of them was the culprit t discover when i put an egg in the coop that all four of them heard a dinner bell once it set down. is there any hope or are they bound for the soup pot? I don't want to put mustard into an empty eggshell for two weeks, as the old remedy goes. any advice or ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[cowhlb]

Hmmm. Im not sure. Mine don't eat their eggs.

 

[enola]

Roll away nests are the answer.

 

[subhanalah]

What protein percentage is their feed?

 

[DuckyRayCyrus]

They're eating layer feed, supplemented with garden scraps.

 

[Khavilah]

I picked up a flock from a friend and a few of those do it too. I am interested in this roll-away nest idea. I'm going to be building a new coop soon and could probably use that type of thing in there.

 

[subhanalah]

If its only 16% layer and garden scraps (no protein) then they are eating their eggs because they need protein. It takes a lot out of them to make an egg a day.
The 16% feeds are formulated to get the most out of layers for about 2 years then be culled. This is not adequate for the typical backyard flock.