I had a hen (ex battery ) sometime ago who ate eggs. The trouble if not resolve quickly is that she can teach the others to do the same. I emptied an egg (by piercing small holes and blowing throught it) and filled it again with a syringe with some strong mustard (like English mustard). And it worked! You may have to do this a few times though until she stops. Not very nice for her, but watch her reacton when she peck at the trick egg Good luck with yours
It also helps to collect eggs more often in the day. Most of the time, it happens in certain nest boxes and there might be ways to stop it. it got alot better here when we added fabric to make them darker inside.
the mustard/hot sause thing never worked for me.... i started to clip beaks on the ones that eat the eggs.. just the tip on top,, it grows back.. but usually stops the habit... the hens that continued even after... i fed them to the coyotes (killed them first).. sounds harsh and a hard decision to make,, but if not STOPPED they will teach others to do it.. and then you will never get any eggs or babies...
It could be a sign that the egg eater needs more protein. I have one hen that occasionally eats an egg. When that happens I up her protein for a couple of days (usually with scrambled eggs which seems like I'm just rewarding her!) and the behavior stops. It's possible that it's just a coincidence but it's worth a shot. Maybe feed some yogurt or sunflower seeds or scrambled eggs for a couple of days and see it that stops the behavior.
Quote:Wont this attract more coyotes to come for a fresher dinner? Why not make soup, and keep the preditors guessing what a chicken tastes like???
the coyotes in my area have a trail along the back of my fence,they trot by every evening.... the front part of my yard has my karelian beardogs..... one side has a donkey (that will stomp the coyotes).. the back part of the fence (the large chick yard) has hotwire on it (electric fence) top and bottom on the outside (i dont have many neighbors) if the coyotes tryed to dig they will get ZAPPED... and we have seen they try to climb the fence, when they get to the top,,, they get ZAPPED.. we have not had a bobbcat or coyote or loose dog ,chicken death since we put up the hotfence.. you got to get the powerful horse/cow fencer, NOT the pet dog fencer for a good ZAPPING.. my neighbor just lost 12 hens to a fox.. he skipped my yard and found a way into the neighbors fort knox chicken coop.. because my fence "bites" and since i have taken part of the coyotes natural hunting ground i feel the need to offer them a free meal once in a while(couple times a year NOT on regular basis).. left over thanksgiving turkey usually goes to the coyotes..
MAybe collect the eggs more often. MAybe then they won't be as tempted! I have heard that means they need more protein in their diet too.
