Hello, new to site, old problems.

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CCUK

CCUK

Free Flying
Jan 21, 2018
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North Notts, UK
My Coop
My Coop
Hello. Just like to say im new to the site but I have been reading various threads for a few years now and find it really helpful. It is nice to see so many people that have such a passion for there chickens. Most people I see and talk too are quite happy for some eggs but don't understand why I spend so much time (and money!) on my hens and the enjoyment I feel to see a happy and healthy flock destroying my garden! I have 21 hens which comprise of 3 bluebells, 2 arucanas, 2 brahmas, 1 light Sussex, 1 warren, 4 white stars, 2 marans and finally 6 rescue isa (warrens)! We started with 6 warrens and more just 'appeared' ,like they do!! Unfortunately this brings me to my first problem, like many other backyard flocks I am slightly chicken rich space poor. There run is about 8' x20' and my 6 rescues that are in a separate run 5' x 10'. There is shared outside run that is about 20' x 30' plus the rest of the garden! I think this is enough space but would want to allow for more. With British weather being as lovely as it is in winter they are spending a fair bit of time in. The problem I have is some of the hens have started digging in nesting boxes which has resulted in broken eggs. All my hens like to lay in the same box I have tried fake eggs in different boxes but the all still lay in same box. I caught two yesterday eating a broken egg so I put a mustarg egg in and it was broken almost immediately. I have had to separate them soon after as they started hassling the other hens when they were trying to lay. It was two of my white stars that are hybrids. I don't want to go for the obvious 'cull' but I can't let the rest start doing this as well. They are fed decent pellets and grit they have mash and corn when it is cold and also have pecking blocks and straw in the run. Is it a space issue or is it something else. I know how difficult it is the stop egg pecking. Sorry this is so long but any advice will help.
 
Chickencountryuk said:
Hello. Just like to say im new to the site but I have been reading various threads for a few years now and find it really helpful. It is nice to see so many people that have such a passion for there chickens. Most people I see and talk too are quite happy for some eggs but don't understand why I spend so much time (and money!) on my hens and the enjoyment I feel to see a happy and healthy flock destroying my garden! I have 21 hens which comprise of 3 bluebells, 2 arucanas, 2 brahmas, 1 light Sussex, 1 warren, 4 white stars, 2 marans and finally 6 rescue isa (warrens)! We started with 6 warrens and more just 'appeared' ,like they do!! Unfortunately this brings me to my first problem, like many other backyard flocks I am slightly chicken rich space poor. There run is about 8' x20' and my 6 rescues that are in a separate run 5' x 10'. There is shared outside run that is about 20' x 30' plus the rest of the garden! I think this is enough space but would want to allow for more. With British weather being as lovely as it is in winter they are spending a fair bit of time in. The problem I have is some of the hens have started digging in nesting boxes which has resulted in broken eggs. All my hens like to lay in the same box I have tried fake eggs in different boxes but the all still lay in same box. I caught two yesterday eating a broken egg so I put a mustarg egg in and it was broken almost immediately. I have had to separate them soon after as they started hassling the other hens when they were trying to lay. It was two of my white stars that are hybrids. I don't want to go for the obvious 'cull' but I can't let the rest start doing this as well. They are fed decent pellets and grit they have mash and corn when it is cold and also have pecking blocks and straw in the run. Is it a space issue or is it something else. I know how difficult it is the stop egg pecking. Sorry this is so long but any advice will help.
Click to expand...

Hello neighbour, have you looked at rollaway nestboxes? Google then you can get on eBay, it might mean changing your nest box Set up of course, but will remove. The eggs from temptation.
If you are having to keep in have you thought of roofing part of the runs to make a straw yard, mine love theirs, not mega expensive to make with simple DIY skills. I can post an image if you want
 
Hi Chickencountry. Glad you joined us. I find that I have to collect eggs a bit more often when I find myself in the situation you're describing. Sometimes, adding more hay, so the nesting material is deeper, helps some too. When one breaks, I don't concern myself if they eat it. I don't have any that will peck one open, or break one on purpose.

my welcome.gif
 
Hello there and welcome to BYC! :frow

Scratching around in nest boxes leads to egg eating. I have dealt with scratchers and egg eaters in the past. One hen had a hard time putting a shell on and so it began. First, use fake eggs in the boxes and leave them in their permanently. Birds will at first go in and try and play with them and soon learn they are impenetrable, teaching them not to bother. Next, hang curtains over the front on the boxes, a small opening in the middle so all they can do is peek their heads in. Curtains do a couple of things. They stop birds from cruising for eggs on the outside of the box, playing in boxes and provides a dark place inside that the birds tend to lay them and leave. If the eggs are out there in broad daylight, they are targets for eating. Oh and collect often as you can.

My birds kicked the habit not too long after using these techniques and for the most part mine are no longer egg eaters. Once they realize whats in these eggs, its hard to break them.

Good luck and welcome to our roost! :)
 
Hi and welcome from another Brit.

It is normal for new hens or young pullets to investigate the nest boxes and scratch the contents out until they get settled. A 4 inch lip on the front of the nest boxes will help prevent the bedding and those eggs being kicked out. Can you post a photo of your nest boxes so that we may be able to advise on a simple fix rather than going to the extent of roll away nest boxes. Curtains can be beneficial both to make other nest boxes more desirable..... hens prefer dark secluded places to lay.... and together with a good lip on the front of the nest box, can prevent egg breakage and egg eating but obviously you will need a top putting on your boxes before you hang curtains. They can me made as simply as stapling a couple of pieces of old feed bag to the front of the nest box and cutting them an inch or so short of the lip, so a hen can push through them and they close behind her, making it nice and dark inside.

It is not unreasonable for hens to eat eggs that get broken and it does not always lead to egg eating as a deliberate act. From what I understand, hens do not have sensors that detect hot spice so I believe it is an old wives tale regarding using mustard or chilli in an egg to deter them.
I had a bluebell that had a problem and persistently laid thin shelled eggs that got broken when the next hen climbed into the nest to lay. If I collected the egg immediately after she laid it, there was no problem, but if the egg got broken the majority of it would get eaten and of course the other eggs and nest would naturally be soiled with sticky egg too. They never ever broke into a good egg to eat it, but eating that weak shelled egg was almost a daily routine that went on for almost a year until sadly she died. I've not had a problem since.

Best wishes

Barbara
 
Thankyou for more replies. I may try to put curtains up. It would be a lot easier to do. But I think that I may have to do a redesign of the nest boxes when the weather gets better. I don't want to alter the inside of the coop to much whilst they are stuck in. The two hens that I separated have both laid and not touched their eggs so it must be accidental breakage rancher then intentional. I hope curtains work or it will be curtains for them!
 

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