Egg eating?

[Over_Easy47]

I had an egg the other day I thought had looked pecked on..deciding to go with ‘it cracked hitting another egg on the way in’ I found half of an egg shell with no egg in site. I have roughly 37 ladies in my big girl pen, how can I pick the one out doing this?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

You could try a trail cam in the coop to keep an eye on them.

 

[cavemanrich]

Only thing I can think of is a game camera. Inside the nest area, and review footage.
The other possibility, is the eggs are getting broken when the hens step around. At that point, most chickens will wolf down cracked eggs.
Egg eating is a difficult habit to break. Hopefully yours are just opportunists eating accidentally broken eggs.
Are the shell strong on your eggs??? Weak shell will break easily, and the usual cause is calcium deficiency.
What are you feeding your hens, and do you provide additional calcium free-choice???
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[aart]

I had an egg the other day I thought had looked pecked on..deciding to go with ‘it cracked hitting another egg on the way in’ I found half of an egg shell with no egg in site. I have roughly 37 ladies in my big girl pen, how can I pick the one out doing this?

One time thing or is it happening often?
If shell was weak or it cracked upon deposit, I wouldn't worry too much.
New layer sometimes peck out of curiosity.
But 'opportunistic' egg eating(an already breached shell) can become a habit.
Make sure nest are bedded well and there are enough nests(10 or more) for 37 birds.
Diet should have good protein/calcium balance.
Added animal protein will avoid a lack that might make them want to eat eggs.
Well made roll away nests can do much to alleviate egg eating.

 

[Over_Easy47]

Only thing I can think of is a game camera. Inside the nest area, and review footage.
The other possibility, is the eggs are getting broken when the hens step around. At that point, most chickens will wolf down cracked eggs.
Egg eating is a difficult habit to break. Hopefully yours are just opportunists eating accidentally broken eggs.
Are the shell strong on your eggs??? Weak shell will break easily, and the usual cause is calcium deficiency.
What are you feeding your hens, and do you provide additional calcium free-choice???
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

I was hoping that was what happened (eating it because it was there and cracked) I feed them laying mash from a feed mill, they do have the option for free choice calcium and grit, they’re eggs are actually very strong with some having a double shell..

 

[Over_Easy47]

Will be looking for a camera! Thanks!

 

[Over_Easy47]

One time thing or is it happening often?
If shell was weak or it cracked upon deposit, I wouldn't worry too much.
New layer sometimes peck out of curiosity.
But 'opportunistic' egg eating(an already breached shell) can become a habit.
Make sure nest are bedded well and there are enough nests(10 or more) for 37 birds.
Diet should have good protein/calcium balance.
Added animal protein will avoid a lack that might make them want to eat eggs.
Well made roll away nests can do much to alleviate egg eating.

Yes this was a one time thing so far..the egg was found on the ground so maybe a new layer. I get close to 30 eggs a day, some of my ladies starting laying really early..