Egg Eating Problem

[Beer can]

Im wondering though if she needs more protein...

In my experience anytime I have a egg eater upping their protein stops it.
Buying a higher protein level feed is the easiest option.
I occasionally feed mine ground whole and cooked fish the kid's catch (never have noticed any fishy flavor in the eggs doing this) . Sometimes I buy dollar store dried beans and either sprout and feed or soak and cook and feed, one or the other must be done in order for them to be edible.
Many times I just feed back scrambled eggs. I've even just boiled up a bunch and ran the whole eggs shell and all through the cheap hand crank meat grinder I also use to grind whole fish.
I don't mind feeding them back eggs being we usually have tons of them, but I DON'T want them eating them out of their nests.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Also make sure you have enough nest bedding. A hen stands when the egg is laid.
My girls like to make a bowl shape in the nest. It can get shallow in the middle. An egg dropped there could crack or get a hole. (A broken egg is fair game to eat). I have to add straw to the nests a couple times a week.
If she is breaking eggs on purpose. Try reducing treats, and as Beer can said get a feed with more Protein.
My Golden Comets feather pick when fed a 16% Protein layers feed. 18% they don't.
I recommend a 18 or 20% Protein feed for a backyard flock. A All-Flock/Flock Raiser or a Non-Medicated Start & Grow/Starter Grower.
I am currently feeding a Non-Medicated 18% Start & Grow with Oyster Shells in a separate container. The shells are strong. GC

 

[Mosey2003]

#1 - higher protein ration. At least an all-flock, which is typically 18%. I would supplement extra for a little while since the egg was just eaten, whether you want to do eggs and worms or grab a bag of broiler or gamebird feed, up to you. Also, mind any extras you give daily, like scratch or vegetables, anything low in protein is diluting the protein content of your overall daily ration.
#2 - dark nests help discourage this, add curtains if possible
#3 - break that broody every time she tries, no sense in her bogarting a nest, especially if you aren't going to let her hatch.
#4 - make sure they have plenty of clean, cool water. Egg eating, while typically lack of protein, can also be seeking water.

I feed a high protein ration every day, and I can throw a cracked egg onto the ground or in the feeder for them to eat, and they still will not peck open an egg themselves to eat it. Keep them up where they need to be and it should stop. You want to move fast though, because it can become a habit if let to go on, and then you're down to finding the culprit and culling.

 

[Mosey2003]

If you need something to pad your nest bottoms, my local home improvement store (Menard's) sells 2'x2' squares of berber carpet for a couple bucks, I cut one in four and put in the bottom of the nest, then shavings on top. They can't get it scratched up off the floor like other stuff.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

What feed are they eating?

Layer

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Was there any shell left to examine.....and if so, was it thin??
How many birds for those 2 nests?

A little was left... it was normal

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Was there any shell left to examine.....and if so, was it thin??
How many birds for those 2 nests?

Sorry, missed your 2nd question. I have 6 birds but right now only 3 are of laying age.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

In my experience anytime I have a egg eater upping their protein stops it.
Buying a higher protein level feed is the easiest option.
I occasionally feed mine ground whole and cooked fish the kid's catch (never have noticed any fishy flavor in the eggs doing this) . Sometimes I buy dollar store dried beans and either sprout and feed or soak and cook and feed, one or the other must be done in order for them to be edible.
Many times I just feed back scrambled eggs. I've even just boiled up a bunch and ran the whole eggs shell and all through the cheap hand crank meat grinder I also use to grind whole fish.
I don't mind feeding them back eggs being we usually have tons of them, but I DON'T want them eating them out of their nests.

Yesterday I fixed them some scrambled eggs and I moxed mealworms and chicken kibble in it. How often should I feed extra protein?

 

[Birdsong 82]

If you can’t fix it with extra protein and it’s becoming a habit for her to eat her eggs you can try rollaway nest boxes. I just was having a problem with one of mine and posted just about the same question. And that was suggested to me. I’m working on making them right now they don’t seem too hard to make and I could see where it would be perfect

 

[Mosey2003]

Layer is typically 16% protein, and that's not enough, in my opinion (maybe for Leghorns). I would seriously switch to something 18% or higher, whether it's a grower or an all flock. Just keep a dish of oyster shell available.