I think I really messed up!

[careeka22]

My 2 older hens were laying great after a long hiatus. I moved my chicks out to the coop and no issues. I had them free ranging behind while I gave some of the chicks so boiled egg and they ran over and bullied some from them. For a while no more eggs, now the last 3 days all I have found is one empty eaten shell! One or both are eating their own eggs! I've read of this happening, but am I doomed? Can we recover from this?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I feed my birds eggs all the time, it doesn't turn them into egg eaters. A chicken doesn't recognize a cooked egg as being what's inside a raw egg. Your older hens could have a protein deficiency. What do you normally feed them? I would up their protein and add in some animal based proteins like scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, or canned fish. Also put some fake ceramic eggs in your nestboxes to make any pecking unsuccessful. Collect eggs as often as possible. Feed a higher protein ration too, and hopefully it stops.

 

[dunnmom]

Finding evidence of one eaten egg does not necessarily mean you will have a chronic egg eating problem. If they got a taste of raw egg, it may just be that one got broken accidentally and they just licked the contents. If there is a problem you will find more broken eggshell. Maybe offer your hens a high protein snack daily if you aren't already, and maybe everyone will forget about the egg incident. I caught one of my hens with her beak dipped in one of her eggs once, but it had cracked and broke in the nest box, I could tell it wasn't purposeful because there were no peck holes in the shell, which she also did not eat.

 

[careeka22]

I feed my birds eggs all the time, it doesn't turn them into egg eaters. A chicken doesn't recognize a cooked egg as being what's inside a raw egg. Your older hens could have a protein deficiency. What do you normally feed them? I would up their protein and add in some animal based proteins like scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, or canned fish. Also put some fake ceramic eggs in your nestboxes to make any pecking unsuccessful. Collect eggs as often as possible. Feed a higher protein ration too, and hopefully it stops.

Oh that's so good to hear! This is all such new behavior I thought it was all my fault. They were my first chickens. Well they were on a layer feed but we switched to the chick feed with added oyster shell since they are all together. Then they occasionally free range. We just got them a 10x30 dog pen that we are working on fully securing and we are even expanding that soon. I try to collect daily, I occasionally forget (4 kids and work ft) Do you recommend another feed? We just got southern states brand. I'll make them more eggs and get cottage cheese at the store tomorrow!

 

[careeka22]

Finding evidence of one eaten egg does not necessarily mean you will have a chronic egg eating problem. If they got a taste of raw egg, it may just be that one got broken accidentally and they just licked the contents. If there is a problem you will find more broken eggshell. Maybe offer your hens a high protein snack daily if you aren't already, and maybe everyone will forget about the egg incident. I caught one of my hens with her beak dipped in one of her eggs once, but it had cracked and broke in the nest box, I could tell it wasn't purposeful because there were no peck holes in the shell, which she also did not eat.

I have found 3 separate eggs so far. And it seems only one is laying because one lays light brown and one light brownish pink and those are the ones I'm finding cracked open.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh that's so good to hear! This is all such new behavior I thought it was all my fault. They were my first chickens. Well they were on a layer feed but we switched to the chick feed with added oyster shell since they are all together. Then they occasionally free range. We just got them a 10x30 dog pen that we are working on fully securing and we are even expanding that soon. I try to collect daily, I occasionally forget (4 kids and work ft) Do you recommend another feed? We just got southern states brand. I'll make them more eggs and get cottage cheese at the store tomorrow!

I feed either a non medicated starter grower, or an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. I had problems when I fed a layer and will never feed one again. Too low of protein.

 

[careeka22]

I feed either a non medicated starter grower, or an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. I had problems when I fed a layer and will never feed one again. Too low of protein.

Ok I can take a picture of the bag and protein amount tomorrow to see if it's adequate. Praying it is just a random occurrence for the week and they go back to normal soon! Thanks for your help!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ok I can take a picture of the bag and protein amount tomorrow to see if it's adequate. Praying it is just a random occurrence for the week and they go back to normal soon! Thanks for your help!

I recommend 18-22% protein. Higher production breeds seem to need more.

 

[careeka22]

I recommend 18-22% protein. Higher production breeds seem to need more.

Ok cool! They are both black australorps

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ok cool! They are both black australorps

They should do good on 18-20%. My feed is 18%.