Cheese really is not a healthy treat to give chickens on a regular basis.... too much fat and salt and probably more expensive than letting them eat their eggs!
Egg eating chickens
- Thread starter Chicken Boy 101
- Start date
I've dealt with egg-eating in the past and there are a few quick ways to help get it under control. I would suggest collecting eggs more often... But even when doing this, hens lay at anytime in the morning and the hens could reach an egg before you do. So getting eggs more often doesn't necessarily make everything better nor does it prevent their egg-eating habits.
When my first flock had did this, I watched their patterns carefully to figure out whom the true culprit was. As far as I could tell it was my G-L-W hen, Marshmallow. Even though she was the one who broke the eggs... All the other hens (not really roosters but occasionally) would rush over and finish up the remains.
Now I knew who I had to keep an eye out for in the flock. I did some research and gathered some ideas from knowledgeable folks here at Backyard Chickens! I found out that using golf balls (if handy) or wooden egg-shaped/round figures in a nesting box works.
You can put the items in a popular nesting box, and even just put them in one and see what happens. As we all know, most hens use the same box for safety and comfort. Once putting them in the box you will notice that it doesn't hurt the hen's beak... But guess what?? They won't get yolk outta a golf ball! So it pulls them away from the habit.
Some hens can get smart... Like my late SS, Madeline... You can use roll-out nesting boxes. (I have not done this but many of my friends recommend it!) Here is a link that may help. http://greenmachinefarm.com/rollout-nest-boxes/ or https://bestnestbox.com/products/large-front-rollaway-or-rear-rollaway-community-nest-box-reversible. You can even make your own, these are terribly high in price and you can find them somewhere else, even plans on BYC, but just to give you an idea.
Wishing you luck on your journey, I hope that this helps. Have a great evening and God bless!
When my first flock had did this, I watched their patterns carefully to figure out whom the true culprit was. As far as I could tell it was my G-L-W hen, Marshmallow. Even though she was the one who broke the eggs... All the other hens (not really roosters but occasionally) would rush over and finish up the remains.
Now I knew who I had to keep an eye out for in the flock. I did some research and gathered some ideas from knowledgeable folks here at Backyard Chickens! I found out that using golf balls (if handy) or wooden egg-shaped/round figures in a nesting box works.
You can put the items in a popular nesting box, and even just put them in one and see what happens. As we all know, most hens use the same box for safety and comfort. Once putting them in the box you will notice that it doesn't hurt the hen's beak... But guess what?? They won't get yolk outta a golf ball! So it pulls them away from the habit.
Some hens can get smart... Like my late SS, Madeline... You can use roll-out nesting boxes. (I have not done this but many of my friends recommend it!) Here is a link that may help. http://greenmachinefarm.com/rollout-nest-boxes/ or https://bestnestbox.com/products/large-front-rollaway-or-rear-rollaway-community-nest-box-reversible. You can even make your own, these are terribly high in price and you can find them somewhere else, even plans on BYC, but just to give you an idea.
Wishing you luck on your journey, I hope that this helps. Have a great evening and God bless!SW31
Songster
After reading posts here we also used golf balls. One of the problems I noticed was that the birds would immediately pounce on a soft shelled egg. I carefully watched one bird who seemed reluctant to lay down like the others and I became suspicious and hung around. All of a sudden I thought she was about to do a poo when I saw the other three rush towards her. I got there first and stuck a flowerpot over the egg. Sure enough it was another soft shell. Now, as advised by French neighbours, I always include crushed oyster shells in their feeding trays and, as far as I know as the evidence gets eaten, it seems to have solved the problem. They also recommended a little grated cheese for additional protein and calcium. However after some warnings by experienced BYC members I’m cutting back on the cheese.
We really need some more info.
-your flock size(numbers, ages, genders)?
-your coop(size in feet by feet with pics)?
-and what and how exactly you are feeding?
might offer clues to if there is a solvable problem.
You had another thread(s) about chickens picking on each other,
but it got hijacked by another member and we never really got your info there.
Please answer the questions above and maybe we can help sort it out for you.
Mine will rush to eat the occasional broken egg, or soft shell egg, but won't break eggs on purpose to eat them. What do you feed your chickens? Do you offer free choice oyster shell on the side?
- Thread starter
- #16
Chicken Boy 101
Songster
I have 32 chickens. They just started laying and 2 roosters. I'll measure and they have pretty big run but I can't get any pics. And I just put their feed in their feeder.
- Thread starter
- #17
Chicken Boy 101
Songster
Mostly corn.
SW31
Songster
Apologies
Chicken Boy, I'm sorry, but corn is not a good diet for them at all. That's a big part of why you're having trouble. They are going for the eggs, because they need the nutrition from them. It's not right to assume, but I'm going to take the plunge here, and assume you're either feeding them corn because you're new at caring for chickens, or it's because of cost. They need to be on a layer feed. That's your most cost effective alternative, and more nutritionally complete for them. 50 pound bags of Purina egg layer feed, and MannaPro egg maker are both good choices. They don't waste as much with the pellets, as with crumbles, so it's a better choice when on a tight budget.
Whenever the eggs begin piling up, and you have a few too many, open the eggs, put them in a caserole dish, or baking pan, take the shells, and put them in a plastic bag, and crush them, then add the shells in with the eggs. Mix them good, and bake on 350 until they're done. After they cool down, crumble it, and feed it to the chickens as a treat. This is good for them.
Whenever the eggs begin piling up, and you have a few too many, open the eggs, put them in a caserole dish, or baking pan, take the shells, and put them in a plastic bag, and crush them, then add the shells in with the eggs. Mix them good, and bake on 350 until they're done. After they cool down, crumble it, and feed it to the chickens as a treat. This is good for them.
Great!
Look at feed bag too, front labels and tag sewn into bottom of bag,
that lists protein and calcium percentage
Crowding and/or lack of nutrition are the most common causes of egg eating.
There are a lot of different feed choices, learning about the ingredients and percentages is necessary for good feeding practices.
'Layer' feed is not necessary, there are other options for providing calcium like oyster shells.
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