Laying hen pecking the pointed end of egg and breaking shell

[ColorCountry]

I have three 8 months old Easter Eggers. One of them, " Lola" is my best layer, but recently has started damaging the eggs she just laid by pecking and
breaking the shell on the pointed end. I've had to toss at least a dozen eggs the past month. What would cause this behavior?

 

[HuffleClaw]

Seems like you have an egg eater. Sometimes providing extra calcium in their diet (such as oyster shells) will solve the issue. If not, I’ve heard of people taking an empty eggshell and filling it with mustard to deter hens from egg eating.

 

[aart]

Is that end of the shell thin?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Collecting often and replacing collected eggs with fake ones can really help.
Mustard filled eggs most often just makes for a different kind of mess.

 

[ColorCountry]

I feed my hens Flock Raiser with oyster shells on the side. I have let them free range the
last several weeks. I leave out a bowl of their feed along with the water. They eat their
food during the day. I try and collect eggs as soon as they lay them, but they are not
doing the "egg song" like they used to. I will try the fake egg thing. Maybe she will peck
the fake eggs and not the real one. LOL.

 

[ColorCountry]

Well, I placed two ceramic fake eggs in the laying box this morning before she got inside.
She did lay an egg, and it was not damaged. So I guess adding the two fake eggs
lessened the chances of damage. It worked. Brilliant!

 

[aart]

Well, I placed two ceramic fake eggs in the laying box this morning before she got inside.
She did lay an egg, and it was not damaged. So I guess adding the two fake eggs
lessened the chances of damage. It worked. Brilliant!

Maybe......or the first was a one off, weak shell stepped on or 'curiosity pecked'.