Egg eating chickens

[aart]

Feeding them whole shells or large pieces is a no no.

Not true.

Ok, two eggs hollowed with mustard inside, put them in different nest boxes although eggs only eaten in one box. Will report any results!

I predict you'll have mustard all over your nests.

 

[Cherterr]

Following.
I got my first Silkie egg this morning and it was topped off and essentially empty. Just got the birds on ? Sunday from a reputable? show breeder. Hoping this isn't a habit of the oldest hen. I've NEVER had this issue with my previous chickens and its very disappointing after a 3 year hiatus. (There are 2 young not laying yet hens, and a rooster as well as the 1 yr. old hen)

I have a camera but not close up. Guess I'll start watching like a hawk. I just finished their new (used to be a little 4 x 8 goat house) turned 2 story coop and was about to move them.. NOW I worry I may need to cull a hen.

Keep writing! I'm with you and watching. I'll update here too.

 

[gpresdo]

I just started having a similar problem, except only one (so far) hen seems to be the culprit. I am going to rewatch a video re blowing out the content of an egg and try filling it with mustard. Will post results

Why mustard? Why not a-1 type hot sauce?

 

[Cherterr]

Look into roll away nest boxes. Or try adding a lot of fake eggs to discourage the egg eaters by giving them something they can't break into.

How do you feel about trying the roll out box with attempting to hatch eggs? (Silkies) Just collect and then return to a setting nest box?

 

[gpresdo]

Not true.

I predict you'll have mustard all over your nests.

Maybe not for you ...but, for us.
Why would you want to take the chance?
Monkey see...monkey do.

 

[Hortgirl]

Not true.

I predict you'll have mustard all over your nests.

You would think, but I just checked and except for a few mustard spots the nest was empty, just the straw. However, Pigeon (slightly nuts EE) was parked by the waterer and had water dribbled all over

 

[Hortgirl]

Forgot to say, second mustard egg is untouched. Apparently she only likes to eat in one box

 

[Hortgirl]

Why mustard? Why not a-1 type hot sauce?

Don’t have any, if this doesn’t work will have my son leave some on my porch. Caregiver for 92 yr old Mom, so I’m completely quarantined right now. Thanks for tip!

 

[aart]

Why mustard? Why not a-1 type hot sauce?

Birds do not have capsaicin receptors, so don't detect 'spicy hot' stuff, like mustard or hot sauce.
That's why red pepper flakes works in wild bird feeder to keep squirrels and other mammals away.

Maybe not for you ...but, for us.
Why would you want to take the chance?
Monkey see...monkey do.

Have read way too many stories about folks feeding empty half shells to their chickens, with no resultant egg eating. Guy I used to chicken sit for showed me to take any cracked eggs and bust them on the floor of the coop, those birds also never tried to eat any intact eggs. Have also had my birds eat weak and thus broken eggs in the nest but not touch solid shelled eggs.

 

[Hortgirl]

Birds do not have capsaicin receptors, so don't detect 'spicy hot' stuff, like mustard or hot sauce.
That's why red pepper flakes works in wild bird feeder to keep squirrels and other mammals away.

Have read way too many stories about folks feeding empty half shells to their chickens, with no resultant egg eating. Guy I used to chicken sit for showed me to take any cracked eggs and bust them on the floor of the coop, those birds also never tried to eat any intact eggs. Have also had my birds eat weak and thus broken eggs in the nest but not touch solid shelled eggs.

Well, heck. Obviously I was unaware of the capsaicin receptor lack in the avian world. However I did do a credible job hollowing the eggs so not all is a total waste. Um, is there an option other than removal of crazy EE?