Came out to our first 2 eggs from 6 hens this morning... one was covered in yellow yuck while the other was clean. Both had been picked at too.
Hens systems often need to work out the kinks when they first start laying. She may have released another yolk that shot thru and covered your egg in gunk. Just keep an eye but they should work it out. As for pecking it's a curiosity thing. Place golf balls or fake eggs in each nesting box so they can peck at them and become bored when nothing happens. Ideally do that before they start laying on their own. Good luck
Are these new layers? Yellow gunk is yolk from another maybe soft/thin shelled egg. Shells appear to be thin and will be broken(and eaten) when pecked for curiosity. What and how exactly are you feeding?
Yes, they're just starting to lay. Eggs though pecked, we're intact. No other eggs or she'll anywhere, doubtful one was eaten. Shell was a little thin, but still tough upon breaking it open. They have layer available at all times and are free range.
