Help, we keep finding cracked eggs.

[Lady K]

Ok, at first we didn't really think much of it, but we keep finding cracked eggs! Sometimes they look like they have a peck hole and other times it's just cracks and always on the ends. And the only egg that is cracked, comes from our RIR. Any suggestions?

 

[keesmom]

How old is she? What are you feeding and are you offering supplemental calcium (crushed oyster shell, crushed eggshell)? What material do you have in your nest boxes and is it usually the same end that cracks?

 

[Lady K]

She is a yr old, this month. We feed them feeder crumbles and add oyster shells to their food. And we have straw in the box, not always on the same end, but always on an end

 

[nab58]

If you don't feel the problem stems from thin shells then you may have a hen that's pecking the holes. Try collecting your eggs more often.

 

[4chickchicks]

Also add a golf ball to their box. Theory is they will peck ball, find Ut is hard and eventually stop pecking eggs. Worked for us for a while. Now our shells are thin. mine will not eat oyster shells. They will eat toasted crushed up egg shells. I find that when I juice and give them the left overs, especially greens, they pick up their laying.

 

[Lady K]

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! We will be trying some of the suggestions

 

[lazy gardener]

Is your bed of straw in the box nice and thick? If the hens are pecking eggs, what about putting a curtain over the box opening to darken the box? More calcium, maybe even more protein might help.

 

[aart]

She is a yr old, this month. We feed them feeder crumbles and add oyster shells to their food. And we have straw in the box, not always on the same end, but always on an end

What is 'feeder crumbles'?
Do you mean layer crumbles?

Oyster shell should be separate from feed, offer it in a separate container, always available, if they need it.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How are your nest boxes lined? Cracks at the ends often indicate a lack of good bedding that results in the eggs dropping down onto a hard surface when they are expelled.

 

[Lady K]

What is 'feeder crumbles'?
Do you mean layer crumbles?

Oyster shell should be separate from feed, offer it in a separate container, always available, if they need it. 

oops, yes that's what I meant.