Eggs pecking

[lacywave]

I've got a Rhode Island red and an Australian and recently the RIR has begun pecking the other's eggs. It's usually just once and doesn't break the membrane but I'm concerned this bad behavior is going to escalate. Does anybody know what might be causing her to do this and can I fix it?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is a habit that can quickly lead to egg eating.
I'd get some golf balls or ceramic/wooden eggs and add a couple to each nest. When they realize they can't penetrate them it will help.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Picking up the eggs often can be of help, the longer eggs sit a round - the more likely she will try pecking them open. It is a hard habit to break. Some folks get a "roll away" nest box, when a egg is laid it rolls away from the hen, and she may not notice where it went. Are you girls getting layer feed with some crushed oyster shell in another container, so they can have it , if they need more calcium . Your hen may be going after the egg for that reason.

 

[lacywave]

Thanks for the advice so far! I'm going to try to the golf balls I think. I've already got them and that would be an easy fix if it works. Usually my kids are eager to remove fresh eggs everyday but we got behind and there were about 8 eggs, 4 days worth, in the coop the other day. My red was sitting on them and I had to remove her. She hasn't tried doing this again and we are sure to remove the eggs everyday now. Now that I'm thinking about it she did actually eat one of the Australorp's eggs right after the excess eggs were removed and has been consistently pecking them ever since but has not actually eaten one. She is the dominant chicken between the two but never mean to the other. I feed them layer feed, they have crushed oyster that I could be more consistent about sitting out and they free range and forage at least half the time. The RIR's eggs have a very solid shell but the Australorp's are a little thin lately.