Hello all

[wernerfarmss12]

I am new to the group. We have chickens for ourselves and share any extra with family and friends. I originally came to this site as I have a naut.y hen who picks at her egg and eats it. i am hoping to learn more about my ladies and how to keep them happy and productive.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Good place to check out first is the Learning Center, lots of nice articles on all aspects of chicken keeping! https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center There is also a nice article in the LC about breaking egg eaters that might be helpful https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/six-tips-on-breaking-your-egg-eater

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

A few things can help with egg eating. First, always collect the eggs as soon as possible so they don't get broken or eaten. Next, always keep fake eggs in the boxes. Not golf balls as they know they aren't real. But clay, wooden or porcelain eggs. What happens is, the birds do their rounds to check the eggs and if you keep up with collecting the real ones, the birds soon realize that the eggs are impenetrable. Then, hang curtains. Chickens are less likely to mess with the eggs in a darkened box and they can't see the eggs while walking past the boxes unless they actually peek in. Take some material and hang it over the boxes. Tack the material at the top. Starting from the bottom, cut slits up to the top, letting all these slices hang. You can lift one of these slices at first so they can peek in and figure out how to get into the boxes. Once they know how to get in, let that slice back down. I have had really good luck with my egg eaters with doing these things and haven't had another egg eating episode since.

Kelsie has left you with some really good links to follow! Great to have you aboard and enjoy your flock!

 

[wernerfarmss12]

Thank you for all your help.

 

[drumstick diva]

If the other birds see her eating eggs they will follow suit. It's a bad habit.

 

[gander007]