Hen Egg eater question

[Peter.J]

I’ve got a mixed flock of pullets, hens, and a few cockerels so i went with the 20% purina flock raiser crumbles. Kinda pricey but i’m hoping once we get some regular free-ranging the consumption goes down.
So, i guess i’m A little confused; should i cull this hen that only ate one egg, or should i just see how things play out. My only worry is that we are gone for long periods sometimes and i don’t want to start egg eating and then have an on going problem. But if its just a diet/proteitn deficiency issue then perhaps its been solved

 

[junebuggena]

I’ve got a mixed flock of pullets, hens, and a few cockerels so i went with the 20% purina flock raiser crumbles. Kinda pricey but i’m hoping once we get some regular free-ranging the consumption goes down.
So, i guess i’m A little confused; should i cull this hen that only ate one egg, or should i just see how things play out. My only worry is that we are gone for long periods sometimes and i don’t want to start egg eating and then have an on going problem. But if its just a diet/proteitn deficiency issue then perhaps its been solved

Exactly. The egg eating happened when she was very new to you. She may well have been protein deficient at the time. How much free ranging will reduce your feed costs will depend on the quality of forage available. The more variety that is provided, the less feed they will need to consume. I've got mowed lawns for greens, several different types of wild berry patches, wooded areas for leaf litter to dig through for bugs, and overgrown grassy pasture for seeds/grains all on about an acre. It's enough to cut my feed bill in half during the spring, summer, and fall months.

 

[Welshies]

Free range can help.
When they are fully grown (16+ wks) you can switch to a maintenence if you have roosters, or a layer if you have all hens, which will reduce your feed bills. You can also feed table scraps, like vegetables and fruit. Avoid bread, potato skins, and avocado, and anything spoiled or rotten. Chickens especially love leftover corn cobs! It helps make eggs tastier and save on feed.

 

[aart]

I’ve got a mixed flock of pullets, hens, and a few cockerels so i went with the 20% purina flock raiser crumbles. ...My only worry is that we are gone for long periods sometimes and i don’t want to start egg eating and then have an on going problem. But if its just a diet/protein deficiency issue then perhaps its been solved

This is a reasonable assumption.
It's a tough call, this is where not being around all day can be truly detrimental.
Took me a couple weeks of finding nest messes(nothing but albumen and some yolk) and frequent checking to finally catch an egg eater dashing out of nest with shell in beak, chased her down and learned that the egg had a very thin shell, so easily broken and fair game for eating....except it can become a habit and I had a couple birds actively searching nests for that thin egg(I think). My birds are also on the FR, so protein was not the issue. Sometimes it's opportunity(finding that thin broken egg) turning into habit.

You could check the eater to see if she is laying, might help narrow down your decision.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Nothing wrong with culling a 'problem' bird, or you might also isolate her for better observation and to keep her from corrupting the youngsters. I have an area at one end my coop that I can throw up a temporary wall, mostly for brooding chicks but have used to asses layers too. You can kind of see it here.
You could also use a wire crate for isolation.

Best of cLuck with your Chicken Juggling!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Ok, she’s the only one i know has laid, 4 more hens just started laying before i got them last week and the rest are pullets...
So i’m Just not sure if she hasn’t laid again yet or if she’s just eaten them every day. Would i find egg shell remnants or would they be eaten too typically?

I use straw for bedding. I find an egg or two a week under roosts, most of the time broken and hens eating it. They devour everything, shell, membrane, albumen, yolk and the straw that soaked up the liquid.
My hens don't eat eggs in nests unless its a thin shell that broke. GC

 

[Peter.J]

Thanks for the ideas; seems like maybe i should just monitor the situation for now. I don’t think she has laid in a month or two. Its been a hectic winter for her with several different ‘coops’. The final coop/run has been constructed so hopefully she, and the others get settled. No signs of any shells etc so i think i’m In the clear for now.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

There is a good reason that Easter is closely associated with baby ducklings, chicks, and eggs. The reason is that at Easter Time hens are at their most productive because daylight is getting longer. If any of you are serious about heritage fowl get some real heritage hens. they lay less than 100 eggs annually, or 6 to 7 dozens in a good year, less if they sit after every clutch.