Egg Eating

[BonnieBlue]

One of my two hens was cranky and kicked her sister's egg out of the nest and went in to lay right after her. Problem is, it cracked open, and then they started pecking at it and eating it. I caught them really quick, because I happened to be watching on camera, and got out there to retrieve the egg and scoop up any spilled contents.

I am assuming I need to watch to make sure they didn't make much of a connection and start eating the eggs now? If Peony hadn't kicked the egg out, they would have never known. I don't know what possessed her to kick it out. I heard it hit the lip of the nesting box and get a hole, so I know they didn't break it open themselves.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most chickens will eat broken eggs. I wouldn't worry unless you start seeing hens going in the nest and start breaking and eating them. It can help to have ceramic eggs in nests because they can't peck those, and they sometimes give up.

Make sure your hens are getting enough protein in their diet, so they don't go looking for extra protein. Daily minimum requirements are 16% which most layer rations are. They are formulated to be fed as tje sole ration. If you like feeding a few extras, and treats it's best to keep them at the minimum, and to feed a higher protein ration that is 18-20% protein. Personally I stopped feeding a layer as I had problems with egg eating and feather picking when I fed it long ago.

 

[WingItRanch]

I have 10 hens and 8 pullets. The pullets started going into the coop and kicking out bedding and cracking eggs. I found some empty egg shells so I know they ate it. The good news is I caught it early and sounds like you did, too. Here's what I did:

Added nesting pads instead of regular straw. It's harder for them to kick it out and so there's a soft landing place for eggs so preventative when it comes to cracking.

Added hard wooden eggs. The pullets would peck at the wooden eggs and hurt their beaks so they stopped.

Made sure I have plenty of oyster shell available so the eggs are nice and strong.

Good luck!!

Edited to add: I feed 20% protein All Flock feed instead of Layer and provide oyster shell on the side for calcium. I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs . Highly recommend!

 

[BonnieBlue]

Most chickens will eat broken eggs. I wouldn't worry unless you start seeing hens going in the nest and start breaking and eating them. It can help to have ceramic eggs in nests because they can't peck those, and they sometimes give up.

Make sure your hens are getting enough protein in their diet, so they don't go looking for extra protein. Daily minimum requirements are 16% which most layer rations are. They are formulated to be fed as tje sole ration. If you like feeding a few extras, and treats it's best to keep them at the minimum, and to feed a higher protein ration that is 18-20% protein. Personally I stopped feeding a layer as I had problems with egg eating and feather picking when I fed it long ago.

Thank you for reply. I'll add the ceramic eggs back to the box. I watched the video and the brat stuck her nose in and rolled the egg to the edge, then reached in with one foot and kicked the egg backwards out of the box, then went in to lay. She has never done that. Maybe the ceramic eggs will break her of that, too.

I feed dried soldier fly larva and dried mealworms as treats daily,so I am pretty sure the protein is being met. I think this was a "what's this? Oh, yum!" sort of thing.

 

[BonnieBlue]

I have 10 hens and 8 pullets. The pullets started going into the coop and kicking out bedding and cracking eggs. I found some empty egg shells so I know they ate it. The good news is I caught it early and sounds like you did, too. Here's what I did:

Added nesting pads instead of regular straw. It's harder for them to kick it out and so there's a soft landing place for eggs so preventative when it comes to cracking.

Added hard wooden eggs. The pullets would peck at the wooden eggs and hurt their beaks so they stopped.

Made sure I have plenty of oyster shell available so the eggs are nice and strong.

Good luck!!

Edited to add: I feed 20% protein All Flock feed instead of Layer and provide oyster shell on the side for calcium. I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs . Highly recommend!

Thank you.

I feed a mix of oyster shell mixed with crushed up egg shell. Their shells are good quality, but this one just slammed into the lip of the nesting box, she kicked it so hard.

I also use nesting pads, just because I think with sand in the coop, it keeps it cleaner, because they can't kick it out.

The good news is, the grumpy lady that did this laid her egg, then left the nest without even looking at it. I retrieved it immediately before they could get ideas.

 

[BonnieBlue]

Edited to add: I feed 20% protein All Flock feed instead of Layer and provide oyster shell on the side for calcium. I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs . Highly recommend!

As soon as I get moved (6-8 wees?) I will expand, and I had already planned on going onto All Flock until they matured enough for Layer Feed. Sounds like I need to rethink and just stay on All Flock when the time comes.

 

[WingItRanch]

As soon as I get moved (6-8 wees?) I will expand, and I had already planned on going onto All Flock until they matured enough for Layer Feed. Sounds like I need to rethink and just stay on All Flock when the time comes.

That's what a lot of us do. It not only keeps the protein levels up but it's more convenient so you don't have to switch off Layer for chicks, older hens, and roosters. Especially if you're already providing calcium supplement.

 

[BonnieBlue]

That's what a lot of us do. It not only keeps the protein levels up but it's more convenient so you don't have to switch off Layer for chicks, older hens, and roosters. Especially if you're already providing calcium supplement.

Which All Flock do you feed that is 20%?

I looked at the All Flock for the brand I am feeding, and it is 18%, which is the same as the layer feed I am using.

 

[WingItRanch]

Which All Flock do you feed that is 20%?

I looked at the All Flock for the brand I am feeding, and it is 18%, which is the same as the layer feed I am using.

That's odd. Usually All Flock is slightly higher than Layer.

This is what I use.

 

[BonnieBlue]

Thanks!