Egg eaters

[Sarafena1982]

I have a group of bantams that have decided to start eating the eggs. I find it funny because they only eat the Cochin eggs. I have tried blowing out the egg and putting mustard in it. They all seem to LOVE MUSTARD!!!!! I have hung curtains and they have oyster shells available to them 24/7. Plus I throw them down with the food so I know they're all getting it. I just don't know else to do. Anyone have any cure for egg eaters?

 

[nchls school]

Find the chickens responsible. If your hens are fairly tame put an egg on the floor when you feed them; stand back and watch who comes forward and starts pecking at the egg-hard. Cull them.

 

[BDutch]

There are systems that roll the eggs away in a save gutter. Youre hens have to lay all the eggs in the laying nests to make it work.

 

[Sarafena1982]

I was looking into those thanks

 

[aart]

What are you feeding?
Egg eating can be a sign of lack of (animal)protein and/or calcium.

 

[Sarafena1982]

They have been eating a crumble and scratch. Also they get fresh foods out of the garden. Plus I add the vitamins to their water. Also I give them meal worms and the oyster shells.

 

[shortgrass]

Find the chickens responsible. If your hens are fairly tame put an egg on the floor when you feed them; stand back and watch who comes forward and starts pecking at the egg-hard. Cull them.

X2...

Or... Put her in her own pen/coop until you can figure out her diet, or mustard eggs, what have you... She will start the others on itvtoo if you don't get it stopped ASAP

 

[Sarafena1982]

Well I will not kill the chicken. That's just as simple as that gets. It's actually one of my roos that started it and now one of my hens. I just find it overly odd that it's only the cochin egg being ate.

 

[aart]

They have been eating a crumble and scratch. Also they get fresh foods out of the garden. Plus I add the vitamins to their water. Also I give them meal worms and the oyster shells.

What is the protein percentage in the crumble?
Folks often inadvertently dilute the protein, vitamin and mineral levels by feeding too much and/or too many other foods.
I'd cut back to just the balanced crumble for a few weeks and see if that helps.

 

[nchls school]

Well I will not kill the chicken. That's just as simple as that gets. It's actually one of my roos that started it and now one of my hens. I just find it overly odd that it's only the cochin egg being ate.

Possibly, the cochin eggs are easier to break. I would not kill it either. I would cull them; remove them from the flock. What to do with hem next is problematic. I have seen posts on BYC from people just wanting a chicken-not caring about eggs-a pet. Bantams make great pets for children and adults. I have one hen that jumps on my back every time I bend over-then she's on my shoulder-not for treats-to be petted-it's an evert day thing. One bantam rooster crows whenever I pick him up. Another bantam rooster just likes the security of being held. I have several bantams that make no effort to get away from me-I simply bend over (that's when the one jumps on my back to shoulder) and grasp them gently and pick them up. People who say chickens are not lovable pets are missing out; with a little work and patience ... Some of my birds even go to school with me. Children learn a great deal and have loads of fun on those days. There are many people out there who might love to have your egg-eater. And there's alway the possibility of breaking the habit. But the bird does need to be culled for the good of the rest.