Good day fellow egg factory enthusiasts!

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In the Brooder
Apr 25, 2018
10
27
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Lincolnshire, UK
Hi Everyone

My name's Lee, I live in the UK, in't North, with my partner, three children, and three chickens!

We inherited the chickens from our previous neighbours when they moved about a year ago. They asked my partner if we'd be able to take them so they know they're being looked after by someone they trust. I was initially against the idea, but I'm glad I let my partner talk me around (I don't get my own way very often, funnily enough) because the chickens have since provided me with a lot of happiness. The eggs are a nice bonus too!

As for breeds, we've got one Bluebelle, one Columbian Blacktail, and one... well, we call her Barbara. She's the family favourite.

I found out about this site while googling for solutions to our current problem: Barbara has taken it upon herself to eat the Blacktail's eggs. I caught her red-handed (well, yellow-beaked) for the first time this morning, but we've been aware of somebody eating them for the last two weeks. (Oddly, she doesn't seem to be eating her own eggs or the Bluebelle's eggs, since we get them nearly every day--we'll even occasionally find them laid in a puddle of egg, unscathed.)

A couple of people I work with also own chickens (what can I say, it's Lincolnshire) and both advised that we wring her neck, but I'm loathe to do so. We're going to start with separating her, and I might get some fake eggs from the country store that happens to be next to my workplace (again, Lincolnshire).

Anyway, a hearty hello to all of you. I hope your days are chicken-tastic.

Lee
 
  • TO PREVENT EGG EATING
  • Provide at least one 12-inch-square nest for every 4 or 5 hens in the flock, and never fewer than six nesting boxes. Nesting boxes should be positioned at least 2 feet off the ground and at least 4 feet from the roosts.
  • Keep at least 2 inches of clean, dry nesting material (shavings or straw) in the nest boxes at all times.
  • Relocate any broody hens, which cause congestion in the nesting boxes.
  • Keep eggshells strong by feeding a calcium supplement—usually sold as oyster shells—in a free-choice feeder.
  • Feed your chickens a complete feed specifically designed for laying hens.
  • If you feed hens eggshells for calcium, smash them to a powder so the chickens don't associate them with the eggs.
  • Collect eggs early. Collecting eggs early in the day leaves less time for breakage and egg eating. Most hens are finished laying eggs by 10 a.m
 
Breaking the Egg-Eating Habit
Practicing the egg breakage preventions mentioned above may be all it takes to stop your hens from eating eggs, even if they've already started. Other things you can do to put a stop to egg eating is to take steps to lower stress.

  • Avoid bright lighting near the nesting boxes.
  • Don't disturb hens in the nests.
  • Make sure you have enough space for each hen in the coop.
  • Keep fresh feed and water available at all times.
  • Set up a second feeding station if one hen is bullying the others by guarding a single feeding station.
  • If possible, provide hens with space outdoors to roam or at least a run with fresh grass and bugs.
 
Thanks for all the information, it's much appreciated! We'll work our way through those solutions.

The chickens all have pretty much free roam of our back garden, most of which is grass. We feed them layer's pellets, but they don't eat it very quickly--we've actually gotten into the habit of only quarter-filling the feeder, otherwise we end up throwing quite a lot away because it goes bad before they finish it. If they're pecking fresh grass and bugs all day as their primary source of food, should we be supplementing them with more protein / calcium than we thought?
 
Mckennas poultry said:
Mine are free range too and they don’t need much food at this time of the year, Just mix in grit with the pellets so they’re getting enough calcium, the food they’re getting in your garden is way more beneficial than any of the commercial food
Click to expand...

I was wondering if that was the case; no wonder they barely touch it. Thanks for the advice!
 
Since only the eggs of one chicken are being eaten, perhaps that chicken is lying thin eggs that are breaking in the nest box. Even chickens that aren't normally egg eaters will quickly eat a broken egg. Try adding some extra bedding to the favorite egg lying spot and set out a dish of oyster shells near their water so they can boost their calcium if they need. I hope it's a simple fix for you and doesn't become a serious problem.
 

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