EGG EATING, HELP!!!

[cl4275]

One of my GC hens is eating eggs, 11 in the last 2 weeks. I know for sure which one it is and if it’s more than one idk which other one is doing it. I’ve started to feed meal worms and it worked for 2 days and then bam, 2 more eggs ate. What are some things y’all have done to stop this and also prevent it in the future! I know pick up eggs as soon as possible is one of them and I check almost every chance I get. Any other ideas?

 

[pennyJo1960]

putting fake eggs in also has broke a few easiest freezer camp

 

[The Phantom]

One of my GC hens is eating eggs, 11 in the last 2 weeks. I know for sure which one it is and if it’s more than one idk which other one is doing it. I’ve started to feed meal worms and it worked for 2 days and then bam, 2 more eggs ate. What are some things y’all have done to stop this and also prevent it in the future! I know pick up eggs as soon as possible is one of them and I check almost every chance I get. Any other ideas?

Roll out nest boxes.

 

[The Phantom]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/rollout-nests.62975/

 

[cl4275]

putting fake eggs in also has broke a few easiest freezer camp

I have 6 fake eggs in there for about a week now and it still happens

 

[Nat and Ana]

I might have the same problem. Got my first egg (ever!) yesterday. Had two in the coop (not nest boxes) today and one was broken and they ate it.
Planning to head to the feed store and get some fake eggs, but I'm hoping this doesn't become a habit!!

 

[cl4275]

I might have the same problem. Got my first egg (ever!) yesterday. Had two in the coop (not nest boxes) today and one was broken and they ate it.
Planning to head to the feed store and get some fake eggs, but I'm hoping this doesn't become a habit!!

Yes because it’s not a pleasing habit when you always find a broken egg. Also heard of poking a hole in both ends of the egg shell and blowing out the yolk and egg white, then filling it with mustard. Supposedly they don’t like mustard and they will stop eating them. I tried this and have only had 2 eaten since I did that. I’m trying everything I can to make it stop without getting rid of her because she lays the biggest eggs for me! Between 3 golden comets I’m getting roughly 12-16 eggs a week! I can’t wait for my BO to start laying!!

 

[Mosey2003]

Let's look at the bigger picture here. Is there a chance the eggs are breaking when being laid more often than normal? Make sure there is ample oyster shell available, and put some padding in the nestbox if it's bare wood under shavings. I get 2'x2' carpet squares at the home improvement store and cut them in four to line nests under the bedding.

Do they have ample clean water?

What do they eat in a typical day? You said adding mealworms helped for two days. What else changed? If they're getting a 16% feed and they also get vegetables/fruit/scratch in a day, that would mostly likely be your culprit. I've read many people say the sexlinks tend more strongly towards egg eating, I would assume their higher rate of lay makes them want a bit more protein than is typically offered.

If I were in your situation, and you KNOW you know which one is doing it, I'd pen her by herself for a few days with a much higher protein feed and a padded single nestbox. You can pick up a bag of gamebird feed - that's usually 24-28% protein, and feed her that alone for a couple days, and then mix it in with your regular to bring your protein up overall a bit.

I wouldn't faff with making a mustard egg. I know some people have said that it works for them, but I've seen it so many times on various FB groups that it doesn't work for most, and I don't see how it really would as chickens aren't bothered by spicy food.

 

[cl4275]

Let's look at the bigger picture here. Is there a chance the eggs are breaking when being laid more often than normal? Make sure there is ample oyster shell available, and put some padding in the nestbox if it's bare wood under shavings. I get 2'x2' carpet squares at the home improvement store and cut them in four to line nests under the bedding.

Do they have ample clean water?

What do they eat in a typical day? You said adding mealworms helped for two days. What else changed? If they're getting a 16% feed and they also get vegetables/fruit/scratch in a day, that would mostly likely be your culprit. I've read many people say the sexlinks tend more strongly towards egg eating, I would assume their higher rate of lay makes them want a bit more protein than is typically offered.

If I were in your situation, and you KNOW you know which one is doing it, I'd pen her by herself for a few days with a much higher protein feed and a padded single nestbox. You can pick up a bag of gamebird feed - that's usually 24-28% protein, and feed her that alone for a couple days, and then mix it in with your regular to bring your protein up overall a bit.

I wouldn't faff with making a mustard egg. I know some people have said that it works for them, but I've seen it so many times on various FB groups that it doesn't work for most, and I don't see how it really would as chickens aren't bothered by spicy food.

There is about 2” of sand and then bedding in the nest box. They aren’t breaking in impact. I have the Purina oyster strong feed but they do free range 8-10 hours a day so they may not be getting what they need. I will do free choice oyster shell starting today. I do not feed them scratch very often.

They always have clean water to drink from.

I got a real weak egg shell yesterday and didn’t see who it was from. Today got another one and it was from the one that’s been eating the eggs. Will definitely keep an eye on her and try to fix this

 

[aart]

One of my GC hens is eating eggs, 11 in the last 2 weeks.

How do you know 11 eggs, did you see it happen...or was the shell left?