Hen is breaking her eggs

[farmerchicken]

Help! My australorp is driving me crazy. For the past two weeks she has broken every egg that she has laid. (I am pretty sure it is her and not the other hens because their eggs are not touched.) All the breaks are at the end of the egg (the larger end) and all the breaks look like it has been pecked. The membrane is never broken, but the shell is punctured.

She has just started laying about a month ago and she never lays the same time during the day; otherwise, I would be out there grabbing the egg as it came out.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Erica -- Farmer Chicken
1 hubby, 1 son, 3 hens, 1 dog, 2 turtles, and 5 fish all living in surburbia

 

[haileychickens]

Erica this is so interesting because my Australorp is doing the SAME thing! She is a first time layer, about 6-7 months old She was laying well for a bit, but recently the tops of the eggs have been broken. I would love some feedback on this as well, as I am at a loss. She is a free range hen, lives with a Welsummer and 2 Frizzles- they all seem to get along. She'll go into the coop, lay her egg and then break it. Very strange. Hopefully someone has an answer for us!

 

[farmerchicken]

How weird! My hen is 8 months old. Today is the first day that her egg was fine and that is only because I ran out to the coop when I heard her making her egg laying noises. Yes on anyone who has an answer to this. All my hens are getting along as well, no fighting, but this new behavior is so weird.

Erica

 

[rancher hicks]

One I put wooden eggs in all the nest boxes and wash them occasionally when they get soiled. Unfinished for brown egg layers. Had my Dels confused when I put a white one in the box. Very funny.

B. could it be she's not getting enough calcium? Don't know why but my girls are ranging now and I've got one who's laying a nearly white egg. Keep a feeder of it in the coop on demand, oyster shell.


3. Could it be there is not enough padding in the nest box and when she lays the egg it cracks.

c. Is she too fat? Fat hens have a harder time laying and are more prone to prolapse.


First, just some thoughts.

 

[haileychickens]

Thanks for the help. I do mix lots of oyster shell in their feed, perhaps I should give them continual access to it as well-in a seperate feeder.
I don't think she is too large...although she is a large chicken, I think she's the right size for her breed.
Hopefully it's just a phase...
Silly question-where can I get wooden eggs?

 

[rancher hicks]

You can find them in a "craft" store. One of the poultry mags had an article on how to tell if chicken is too fat. Though I dont' recall which. Maybe if you googled it you might find out how fat she is.

 

[farmerchicken]

Thank you for the advice. I don't think my issue is the padding in the box, there is a ton, but she does like to brush it away so that it is very little when she lays. I was able to get an unbroken egg from her today, only because I ran out at the right time. Could be the lack of calcium; where do you get your oyster shells?

Erica

 

[rancher hicks]

If you have a Tractor Supply company store. If none have it ask them to carry it. I also crush up my egg shells and mix it with the grit.

 

[AccioSarah]

Quote:
Backyard Poultry, just read the article today.

 

[newchicksnducks]

I had a problem with eggs "denting" at one end. I put cardboard in the nest boxes, topped with shavings. No problem since. I think I had one that stood while laying and it plopped on the wood bottom because they insist on pushing the nesting materials around. But if you were able to rescue an egg because you collected it right after they lay, you may have a pecking problem:/ Good luck!