Eggs have been dented/cracked with holes

[lmadeline146]

Our pullets started laying a few weeks ago, and i’ve noticed that a good amount of eggs are dented at the point or have a hole. Why? Could the eggs have cracked while being laid? No matter how much bedding I put in the nesting boxes, my hens usually dig some of it out anyways.

 

[janiedoe]

I think you have a pecker. I'd gather the eggs as often as possible, to prevent egg eating.

 

[lmadeline146]

I think you have a pecker. I'd gather the eggs as often as possible, to prevent egg eating.

It just happened again, around half an hour after a hen laid, it’s broken

 

[janiedoe]

Roll away nest boxes are one suggestion. It isn't completely broken, so you don't have an egg eater yet. If you can, you should put a camera in to find out who is doing it. If your nest bottom is at eye level, they are probably packing out of curiosity. Moving the nest up might help.
I hope someone else can offer more help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Could be pecking, or could be breakage when laid, as hens stand up to lay. Are the shells of normal thickness? Other than the nesting material, do you have any other cushion in the nests? I used feed bags with a sheet or two of bubble wrap inside, folded to snugly fit in the nests. The birds can't really scratch them out and adds quite a lot of padding, even if all the nesting material gets kicked out.