Getting creative to deter egg eating! Suggestions ?

[klyra]

So this morning I watched from the window as a hen cracked open an egg on the nest. I went out and grabbed her and then realised I had no plan, so released her. Its a family flock, the kids have them all named (I can't tell them apart anymore), but culling is out of the question.
So I read up on design, searched everywhere online and locally for ideas. I couldn't find any prefabricated roll away nesting boxes that would work in our co-op or that were within the budget. So I invented my own, this morning!
First I realised that the hens wouldn't use a slanted box if the floor was still covered in pine shavings. Their original box was lined with the same, and often they nested on the floor. So I pulled out all the shavings, and rigged a poo hammock, for under their roost to catch all the poop. I used bamboo to create a frame and covered it with plastic and hung it on the bar where they roost. Fingers crossed that part works!
Then for the nesting box, I took a short wooden crate and pulled one side off it. I put that side back on with a gap at the bottom for the eggs to roll out.
Then I covered the bottom with a cloth so its comfy and nailed some smooth planks underneath so the eggs can roll without getting stuck.
Then I propped the crate on a 2x4 so its on a slant.
I glued a decoy egg in the slanting box so the chickens get the right idea, and to deter from egg eating (I filled the decoy with dish detergent, I read they don't like it, and can make them stop eating eggs).
Then I covered the egg landing spot with a plank of wood. If it all works properly, I'll put the plank on a hinge, so I can get the eggs but my feathered friends can't.
Fingers crossed the whole system works! Any suggestions anyone???
Now I just need to wait until tomorrow to see how it all works. All hens have laid their eggs already today! At least that's good news! 5/5. Minus one egg that was eaten.

 

[0die]

I think ur gonna have to cull her ASAP

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I love a good sting operation, will wait to see how it turns out. But usually egg eating is not enough protein, birds get depleted from laying, or boredom, and I do have to ask what breed, I have had problems with sex link birds, or birds that lay every day, it really takes a lot of energy to produce an egg a day. Maybe upping their protein.

 

[klyra]

I love a good sting operation, will wait to see how it turns out. But usually egg eating is not enough protein, birds get depleted from laying, or boredom, and I do have to ask what breed, I have had problems with sex link birds, or birds that lay every day, it really takes a lot of energy to produce an egg a day. Maybe upping their protein.

I believe they are sex links, they do lay every day. Today there was opportunity for egg eating, and it didn't happen. Here's what I've done so far!

Created a roll away nest box - only works when the hens use it, 50/50. So eggs are still around in sight of egg eater.

Added plastic eggs to dissuade from pecking..

Added a blown out egg filled with dish soap and hot sauce..

Added food to their coop so when they wake early they can snack on that instead of early laid eggs.. (They're free range during the day and the food was previously in our house during the night to dissuade rats)

Cut back on the carb scraps so they eat more of the protein rich layer rations..

So today was a success. There was an egg in the coop when I opened it up this morning that was unpecked, and two other eggs were laid during the morning that were also unharmed. So that's a good sign.

Will update over the next few days on progress!

 

[klyra]

The egg eating I realised was primarily happening in the coop before I let them out in the mornings.. This morning, another untouched egg in the coop!! So far, success. The egg eater will live another day

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yay, you seem to have covered everything, sounds like they are bored waiting to be let out. I would say let them out earlier, and then I would say I'm not getting up earlier for some chickens. Hope that hen behaves.

 

[klyra]

Yay, you seem to have covered everything, sounds like they are bored waiting to be let out. I would say let them out earlier, and then I would say I'm not getting up earlier for some chickens. Hope that hen behaves.

You're totally right on letting them out earlier. You're also totally right on I'm not getting up earlier. Haha. Looking into automatic door openers as we speak!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't get up early either, my run is fairly secure, so I leave my pop hole open in the summer, and in my other shed my chickens are never locked up, I have lost some to predators over the years, but I'm in the country. I hear those openers are pricey, but the price of chickens is cheap so maybe the finances work out in the end. I certainly would buy an opener before I even though about shoes or handbags, or anything else other women buy. Not me, more chickens.

 

[klyra]

I don't get up early either, my run is fairly secure, so I leave my pop hole open in the summer, and in my other shed my chickens are never locked up, I have lost some to predators over the years, but I'm in the country. I hear those openers are pricey, but the price of chickens is cheap so maybe the finances work out in the end. I certainly would buy an opener before I even though about shoes or handbags, or anything else other women buy. Not me, more chickens.

I totally agree about handbags and shoes. I'm okay with being a little strange the kids love the chickens. It makes me happy. Handbags can't do that.

I can't leave our pop door open because we have raccoons that visit regularly. It will be a good investment in the end!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have been feeding raccoons for almost a year, keep eating my cats food, we trap but they seem to have told their friends, they have never bothered my chickens, but I may have just cursed myself saying that. A wise decision, investing in the opener, like to see pictures when you get one up and running.