Is chickens eating their own eggs normal?

[Dianitha]

I have 8 hens & 1 rooster, we have not had any problems before but just a few minutes ago my kids found 2 shell less eggs & the chickens & the rooster we're eating them. Is this normal & if not how do we go about fixing the problem??

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

Were they laid without shells?

 

[Kiki]

Some would call it normal some would not.
Do some chickens do this..yes.
Roosters are too much trouble..imo.

Can you possible collect eggs more often?

 

[Kiki]

welcome to BYC!

 

[Dianitha]

Some would call it normal some would not.
Do some chickens do this..yes.
Roosters are too much trouble..imo.

Can you possible collect eggs more often?

We collect them every day & check 3 times a day.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

found 2 shell less eggs & the chickens & the rooster we're eating them. Is this normal

Hi @Dianitha Welcome To BYC

Yes, it would be normal for the rooster and hens to eat shell less eggs, especially if they were deposited in the run.

Finding 2 is a bit concerning. How old are your hens and what type of food/treats do you feed?

Keep watch on your hens, if they continue to lay shell less eggs, then you will need to investigate further.
Provide oyster shell free choice for added calcium, keep stress levels in the flock at a minimum (have enough space) and check them over for external parasites like lice and mites.

 

[Then I Will]

It's normal because any chicken shown a broken egg will eat it.
It's undesirable because the birds quickly learn to break eggs to get the yummy treat inside - which means less eggs for you.

Best to figure out if someone has a egg laying issue and fix it before it becomes a flock habit! Sometimes a hen can be stressed enough to have an "accident" in the run. If you think it's stress over an internal illness, try to find the source (dog, cat, coon, bully chicken, etc.)

Also, it sounds like the ratio of hens to rooster is almost perfect. If he is aggressive in his mating habits, you might want to go over 10 hens. Just a thought,

 

[alexa009]

My production red would eat her own eggs and the other hens. It would get my other hens angry when she would take it from them when the other hens laid them. One of them was attacking her and chasing after her. The hen eventually stopped though. It might be kind of difficult, but try to get every eggs as soon as the hens lay them. A rooster would probably be trouble since he probably doesn't understand that eggs aren't to eat. If there is a way to keep him out then I think it is a good idea.

 

[alexa009]

Also, if you don't want that hen eating the others eggs you can try getting her a different nesting box and try getting her used to it.