Egg massacre

[Ginmary]

we were away for 2 days. When we got back we found broken eggs on the floor and the hens eating them. These were unfertile eggs from the buff and ameracauna. from wherever they laid them. Then we went to check the 2 Seramas that were sitting on 8 eggs. They were about a week and a half from hatching. It seems the big girls got to the broody nest (our fault for not securing it.). 5 of the 8 are no longer there. These were eggs that all had veins and movement.
What a nightmare. I don’t know why they started doing this. I do let them eat the shells when I make them scrambled eggs. Did I inadvertently train them to do this?

 

[starri33]

sorry to hear about this, I've read where you are to grind up the shell before giving it to them. I'm incubating my eggs as I don't have a broody hen, if one of the eggs got accidentally broke, that could have caused them to eat them.

 

[Ginmary]

Yeah, perhaps one of the large eggs could have fallen out of the shavings bag and broken but they had to deliberately go to the broody box where there are 2 serama hens sitting on the same eggs and attack the eggs, perhaps when the hens left to eat or drink.
Last week I put some eggs I’d collected down next to me for a sec and they ran over tried for the eggs. They broke one before I could pick them up.

 

[MROO]

we were away for 2 days. When we got back we found broken eggs on the floor and the hens eating them. These were unfertile eggs from the buff and ameracauna. from wherever they laid them. Then we went to check the 2 Seramas that were sitting on 8 eggs. They were about a week and a half from hatching. It seems the big girls got to the broody nest (our fault for not securing it.). 5 of the 8 are no longer there. These were eggs that all had veins and movement.
What a nightmare. I don’t know why they started doing this. I do let them eat the shells when I make them scrambled eggs. Did I inadvertently train them to do this?

So Sorry!
Sounds like it's time for a roll-out nest box for collecting, and definitely time to isolate broodies. I usually keep mine in a dog kennel, inside the coop (it's pretty big, so I'm lucky, there.) That way, they can all see each other, but Mama & the nest are safe from invaders. I also wrap the lower half in hardware cloth, to keep the chicks in and safe, as I have one hen with a distinct dislike for little fuzzy things!

 

[starri33]

Yeah, perhaps one of the large eggs could have fallen out of the shavings bag and broken but they had to deliberately go to the broody box where there are 2 serama hens sitting on the same eggs and attack the eggs, perhaps when the hens left to eat or drink.
Last week I put some eggs I’d collected down next to me for a sec and they ran over tried for the eggs. They broke one before I could pick them up.

Yeah, all that I can think of is they got the taste of eggs and went crazy, I have to watch mine as I will use the same container for collecting my eggs that I had my treats in, they will come check out the container, I've had one manage to get their head in the pail before I was able to get it up. I'd say watch them and see if you can figure out which one is starting it.

 

[Ginmary]

We normally put the Broodies in a separate coop in the room. Why we didn’t this time I will never know. Things have been very hectic and they were brooding in a very secluded spot.
I only have 2 regular size hens, an Americauna and a buff orp. They are both the villians.

Just before we left the house I rolled 2 fake eggs into the room. The two went for them like a piece of steak in a lion’s den. As we left they were playing soccer with them. I’m hoping they will decide that eggs are no longer edible... (one can hope) My luck I’ll find both fakes eaten.

 

[starri33]

Your luck sounds like mine.. lol, I'd pick up the real eggs asap and keep those fake eggs in the coop, sooner or later they will decide that the eggs are not edible.

 

[Ginmary]

We take the eggs out as soon as we find them but we are gone for 2-3 days at a time.

I also now have a broody silkie sitting on nothing.

 

[Criticalicious]

Feeding cooked eggs does not turn them into egg-eaters. They have to have had raw eggs before to develop a taste for them. I would also confirm they are getting enough protein and calcium in their diet or provide feed that tastes better than raw eggs. Mine lay egg shells tough enough to survive a day kicked around the ground in the run (although they don't survive a 4 foot fall from a washer onto linoleum, ask me how I know, lol).

 

[Ginmary]

Follow-up: egg eating has stopped. They don't eat any of the eggs they themselves lay in their chosen nest site. (usually the open shavings bag and Yes, they have normal nest boxes available) However it is important for me to keep the broody eggs safe because they will still go after them.