Hens eating broken eggs--AARRRGGHHH

[ducks4you]

Nope. Not even when I was pregnant-I POSITIVELY REFUSED TO!!
If I was a Duck, however, that would be a complimentary question. When I was little, I LLLLOOOOOVVVEEEDDDD to play in puddles. My parents got us baby ducks for Easter, which we kept in the tub for a week and gave away to a local farmer. (This was BEFORE West Chester, Pennsylvania became a suburb of Philadelphia, in the 1960's.) Ducks have been my 2nd favorite critter, 2nd to horses. In fact, we wouldn't even be living out in the country and raising chickens if we didn't already have horses, so it all ties in.

 

[Wynette]

Interesting! Yep, my first love is horses, too. I've had horses (and mini donkeys) for MANY years, and added chickens just a few years ago. I'm actually not sure what took me so long, I've so enjoyed them! But yeppers - horses are #1. Well, maybe my beloved Macey (Great Dane)....THEN horses!

 

[australorp_breeder]

Whenever my chickens lay an egg and it cracks, I give it to them and they LOVE it! They don't try and eat their eggs unless it's cracked. If it's not, they'll peck it a few times, but just lightly and then walk off and mind their own business.

 

[ducks4you]

I guess that this that big a worry, afterall. But, I own those eggs, dagnabit!!

It just surprised me. I think that RIR's must be a more aggressive than some other breeds, at least they're pushy!

 

[Wynette]

It's somewhat unusual that they wouldn't eat other eggs once they get the taste of them, so you're very lucky, AB!

 

[claud]

Quote:
THis is not a protein deficiency. Almost all chickens will go after a broken egg.
I would never feed my chickens a recognizable egg however - just bad practice.

I've had chickens for 10 yrs and I've seen them go after broken eggs - never had an egg eating problem. I do however try to prevent broken eggs in the coop and if I see one I take it away.

If you're worried about protein you can toss some catfood(as someone suggested) in to them. If they are in a molt(as many are this time of year) it wouldn't hurt to add a little protein.

 

[ducks4you]

Such great advice! You know, it would take a lot of book research to find the answers to problems like this so QUICKLY!! Thanks!

(I guess you saved a few birds today.)

 

[australorp_breeder]

Thanks Wynette, I feel special now, lol!