How to stop egg eating

[Wild1]

Hi Guys,

It has been quite some time since I last posted but now it seems I have a major problem. I have not had any eggs for about 3 months and we were suspecting all sort of problems from Rats and Mice to lizards and snakes. I could not put my finger on why even though the birds have plenty space, food and water.
Today by chance I was in the run when there was a hen in the nest box, I waited around but missed the actual moment but she appeared outside and then there was a huge scuffle and all the chickens dived in I intervened to find them fighting over the egg.

Could it be they have started eating the eggs as soon as they are laid?

If yes, then how do I stop this?

I hope someone can help.

Stephen

 

[rlbrand]

Yes i think that is quite possible that thats whats going on. I also have had chickens starting to eat their eggs. I was fortunate enough to spot it right away so stopping it wasn't hard. I am sorry to hear that you have been missing eggs for so long. In my case I just made sure to check for eggs constantly, so if one was laid i got it right away before anyone had the chance to come and eat it. I missed 1 or 2. I would find just goo in their nesting box.. egg white.. But after a short while i had no more incidents. Now you will probably need to do more than this because its been going on for so long, they have a strong desire and taste for the eggs. I have read that some people put golf balls in the nests to confuse them, chickens will peck at them and realize they're getting nothing and stop? I will try to look for the thread i used when i had this issue. hopefully someone with more experience with this problem can help you.

 

[Wild1]

Thanks, I will try the golf ball trick.

 

[BEN HAYES]

Take a egg boil it really hot let the hen eat it if that doesn't work debeak it

 

[klyra]

Don't de beak your birds!!
There are things you can do to deter egg eating! I just had success detering my hen.
Chickens are creatures of habit, you can break the habit in a few ways.
You could install roll-away nesting boxes so the chickens don't have access to it.
You could increase their protien levels. They're possibly low.
You can blow out an egg and fill it with soap or mustard. Chickens will taste it and not like it.
You can put unbreakable false eggs in the nest. They will peck them and hurt their beaks and get discouraged.
You can make sure they have enough food at all times. Mine were hungry in the coop before I released them to the yard, so they ate eggs. If you're not using a high protien lay ration, you may want to switch.
If you do all this, you will probably see success in regaining your eggs.
De-beaking can lead to health issues and its cruel..

 

[klyra]

Thanks, I will try the golf ball trick.

yes golf balls are good!

 

[Wild1]

Thanks for the tips we will try this, i must say I was a little unsure about the de breaking having never done this before. I will try the other suggestions first. The roll away type of nest box you mentioned, do you know of ay design I can look at?

We really need to do something fast, I have waisted so much time already having no legs for several months and me looking for snakes lizards and rodents.

Stephen

 

[klyra]

Here is a big version, but you can also find little ones!https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=48RL

 

[rlbrand]

I agree, don't debeak... there are plenty of other ways to fix the problem.. debeaking will only cause more stress and problems...

 

[rlbrand]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/six-tips-on-breaking-your-egg-eater