Egg Eating

[tsperry88]

I feel like I am dealing with about every problem this year. I had a pullet laying an egg on my poop board every night. It would break. I also had an issue with thin shelled eggs until I switched to a thinner cut oyster shell that they like better. Between those 2 problems at least one of my birds seems to have learned that eggs are breakable and taste good. Shell and all. I find sticky nesting boxes with no shell fragments. I have 6 porcelain eggs I may keep in the boxes and collect the real eggs as often as possible. Hopefully their beak gets sore trying to break the fake ones.

They eat nature's best grower feed. 22% protein I believe. Always fairly fresh.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I'm sorry that you have some egg eaters. My hen, Blamo, used to eat her eggs too. I tried everything I new...but nothing would stop her. Luckily, she only likes her own eggs - so I'm still getting eggs from the other three girls in that flock.

She is now molting and not laying eggs, so maybe (hopefully) she will have a fresh start next spring.

I'm sorry that I don't have much advice.... but you could try the mustard trick if you haven't already. mustard trick for egg eating chickens

You could also try a roll-a-way nesting box. roll away nest box

Best of luck to you!

- Jessa

 

[Folly's place]

Are you sure that it's a bird eating those eggs?
Sometimes you can see egg yolk on the beaks or faces of your egg eaters, definitely helpful. Are the egg shells thick enough, or do you have someone laying very thin shelled, breakable eggs?
Are all your birds eating the egg shell? Is the container out in a very accessible location? Try moving it next to their door or something, it mattered to one of my hens this summer.
Roll away nest boxes would be a good fix, if you want to go that route.
If you have one bird laying thin shelled eggs, or one bird instigating the egg eating, moving that bird on might be a good decision too.
Good luck!
Mary

 

[tsperry88]

Are you sure that it's a bird eating those eggs?
Sometimes you can see egg yolk on the beaks or faces of your egg eaters, definitely helpful. Are the egg shells thick enough, or do you have someone laying very thin shelled, breakable eggs?
Are all your birds eating the egg shell? Is the container out in a very accessible location? Try moving it next to their door or something, it mattered to one of my hens this summer.
Roll away nest boxes would be a good fix, if you want to go that route.
If you have one bird laying thin shelled eggs, or one bird instigating the egg eating, moving that bird on might be a good decision too.
Good luck!
Mary

I'm fairly certain the eggs were eaten. I noticed shells getting thin and collected a few that looked pecked but not broken. Shells seem stronger now that they are back on their preferred oyster shell. It's also expensive oyster shell that I have to order......

 

[Folly's place]

Expensive oyster shell? I had no idea! What's different about it, just wondering.
Mary

 

[tsperry88]

It just seems shaved thinner. It lasts awhile though. I need to find a better source for plain ground oyster shell they like.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07R247HPH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[peeper89]

you can get oyster shell at tractor supply that what my chicken girls eat they like it and make good eggs!

 

[tsperry88]

you can get oyster shell at tractor supply that what my chicken girls eat they like it and make good eggs!

I have a bag from tsc that is oyster shell and coral calcium. It's larger pieces and they hate it.

 

[peeper89]

I have a bag from tsc that is oyster shell and coral calcium. It's larger pieces and they hate it.

oh my chicken eat it maybe you find something they like

 

[tsperry88]

oh my chicken eat it maybe you find something they like

I think it's because they have only ever eaten starter/grower and are not used to pellet sized food. They pick at it but don't seem to ever swallow it. They do eat full size grit which is about the same size as the tsc calcium, so I not sure what their deal with it is.