egg shells in compost?

[susan-marjorie]

Hi, I'm planning my first coop / pasture for chickens. For several reasons I like the idea of having my compost pile in the chicken area, but I have read about egg-eating being an issue with some chickens. I wonder if it's okay to put our eggshells in our compost pail as usual, will they get the birds interested in eating eggs? I also wonder about putting coffee grounds in there... Anyone have some experience to share?

 

[nchls school]

We save egg shells from our kitchen use. Once dry they are broken up into small pieces and mixed with the chickens' daily feed. I have done this for many years and have not had an egg eater for many decades.

 

[susan-marjorie]

Thanks, that's reassuring. Do you grind the shells or just smash them up?

 

[nchls school]

I just smash them up by hand; make sure the shells are dry without raw egg residue.

 

[Mrs. K]

I just throw the shells in the scrap bucket, and add feed to it. Mine eat the shells and I have never had egg eating.

Mrs K

 

[nchls school]

I often feed hard-boiled eggs; shell and all.

 

[aart]

Eating broken shells, even complete eggs smashed on the ground, is not going to make them egg eaters.
But there are other downsides to composting in the run.
Here's a few threads to get you started researching that:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/179790/?q=compost+run&t=post&c[title_only]=1&o=relevance

 

[susan-marjorie]

Eating broken shells, even complete eggs smashed on the ground, is not going to make them egg eaters.
But there are other downsides to composting in the run.
Here's a few threads to get you started researching that:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/179790/?q=compost+run&t=post&c[title_only]=1&o=relevance

Thanks, I'll read more!

 

[susan-marjorie]

Eating broken shells, even complete eggs smashed on the ground, is not going to make them egg eaters.
But there are other downsides to composting in the run.
Here's a few threads to get you started researching that:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/179790/?q=compost+run&t=post&c[title_only]=1&o=relevance

Would you say egg eating has to do with overcrowding, or a problem with their diet -- or are some breeds more likely to go that way?

 

[aart]

Would you say egg eating has to do with overcrowding, or a problem with their diet -- or are some breeds more likely to go that way?

There can be several issues that can lead to egg eating.
Diet and crowding can have an effect.
Like most behavioral problems, it's often an individual bird thing, not a breed thing.