There are many reasons. 1. An egg was accidently broken and they learned they taste really good. 2. Boredom, bored chickens can develop bad habits such as egg eating or feather picking. 3. They lack sufficient nutrients in their food. 4. Unknown The culprit is usually the one with dried egg yolk down the front. I have found that nest boxes raised about 30 inches above the ground has a tendancy to prevent the habit from starting. For whatever reason if they are relatively low to the ground hens will get in and scratch around and accidently break an egg and then develop the habit. Culling is usually the best way to stop the problem.
my boxes are 5ft off the ground,is it usually the hens.I was out there sitting watching for quite sometime and looking everyone over don't see any egg on anyone,a couple of leg hrons are scratching and eating straw seeds in the boxes I think they are ones
