Eggs are getting cracked :-(

[BarrettG]

So my chickens are going in the nest to lay but they are moving all of the hay or wood chips out of the way, laying the eggs on the wood, and I noticed now 1 out of 3 is cracked on the small round end. I switched from wood chips to hay and the are still doing it. I NEEDED EVERYONE'S ADVICE PLEASE!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Is there an edge on the nesting box? That would help keep the bedding in. Are they removing the bedding while laying an egg or just to have fun? If it's out of boredom maybe you could add some enrichment to their coop like treat balls or hang cabbages above their heads so they have to jump to reach them. If they still are digging in their nests you can buy nesting box pads. They are quite a bit more expensive than straw or wood shavings, but the hens won't be able to remove them

 

[BarrettG]

Is there an edge on the nesting box? That would help keep the bedding in. Are they removing the bedding while laying an egg or just to have fun? If it's out of boredom maybe you could add some enrichment to their coop like treat balls or hang cabbages above their heads so they have to jump to reach them. If they still are digging in their nests you can buy nesting box pads. They are quite a bit more expensive than straw or wood shavings, but the hens won't be able to remove them

That's a great idea. They move the hey whenever they lay. Then I go fix it, then the next one goes to lay. They don't move it out of the nest, they move it around in a circle with the egg layed in the middle on the wood. I need to look up nest pads.i was thinking of gluing some rubber isolation but then I think they will just scratch at it and eat it.

 

[bertgwen]

I had the same issue. I took out all the straw, put in an inch or two of clean sand, then put the straw back in. Have not had a cracked egg since.

 

[BarrettG]

I had the same issue. I took out all the straw, put in an inch or two of clean sand, then put the straw back in. Have not had a cracked egg since.

Seems to be working. I haven't had a cracked egg yet knock on wood. The birds still try to did past the sand. I think I need to put more sand in. Some sand sticks to the egg but a paper towel takes care of it

 

[Folly's place]

I use empty feed bags, folded to fit, under the shavings and hay bedding in the nest boxes. Free, easy, and disposable. Mary

 

[MaLoTu]

I am having a similar issue. However, I am not sure if it is because of the hard surface that they are cracking or because they are getting pecked by the hen. If I don't catch them quick enough they seem to have a little hole in them. One day I got out there to find half an egg =( I think both things are causing the egg damage at this point.

I haven't tried it yet but someone suggested some astro-turf type matting that you can buy at home depot.

 

[Spartan22]

I had same problem with my new layers, so I stapled old bath towels(folded) in their nests - old wooden drawers. Top it with straw/pine shavings. Works great!

 

[BarrettG]

It sounds like anything can work that they are not able to move around easily.i have not had a cracked egg in 3 days now but today the chickens made a circle down to the wood again. Maybe I need more sand? I like the astro turf thing. Like some rubber mat type material.then put sand on that and then hay. I realize that half of being a back yard chicken owner is trying to out smart chickens. I feel like that show are you smarter than a 5th grader lol

 

[Folly's place]

If you are finding a little hole in one end of the eggs, you have an egg eating bird in there. After the egg is totally opened, all the birds will eat it, but the one to find is the bird who's opening the eggs in the first place. Watch for yolk on the face; you might get lucky and find one in the act too. Then either get her out of the flock, or try some of the 'mustard in the egg' methods to discourage her habit. Mary