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First, make sure you actually have an egg eater, without real nests that maybe hard to ascertain....wet messes in nests is usually the first clue.
Are you certain they are not burying them somewhere in the bedding?
I would encourage you to have some 'real' nests, they don't need to be roll away, but good luck getting them to use them, that will take some time since they've always laid wherever.
It could also be a predator taking the eggs, rats and snakes come to mind first.
Egg eating can be caused by stress from crowding and/or lack of nutrients.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Any changes in feeding lately?
Do you check the MFG date on your chicken feed bags?
So your birds are about 18 months old?
My bet is that they are slowing down prior to their first full adult molt.
They can start molting anywhere from late July to December.
The heat can definitely have an affect on production. They don't eat as much when it's hot and use all the water they drink to cool their bodies, not much resources left to make eggs.
Deep all day shade is best, or if you're in the desert with very low humidity a mister system may help, but I have neither so....
I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves. It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place. Always have plain water available too.
BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.
Make space in your freezer!
Awesome reply, thanks! I use a Bar Ale from the locale Western Feed shop in my area. It's a layered feed and I've used it their whole lives, sometimes switching to the other feed (Purina) but the ingredients are identical. I have a shade that I've debated putting up but didn't think it'd make much of a difference - seems I may be wrong! I'll put that up over their coop area and see what that does.
I know the eggs are being eaten by one of the flock - I see egg messes, egg shells, cracked eggs strewn about. I have a good idea on who the perp is, too, and she's a hen that is my oldest and probably most out of her prime.
Nice ice idea, too. Thanks much.
