Mustard in Egg

[norcal]

We've had 2 days of eggs that were not eaten. We'll see how this goes.

And as far as "they are all evil, just eat those chickens", well I think that's ridiculous. These are young chickens, I have to at least give them a chance ---- ALL of them. If I do see one who's eating the eggs, and I find out it's ONLY one, then I will think about eating that ONE (or at least separating it).

 

[MonkeyZero]

Sometimes wasabi is bitter too

 

[Sitka]

Vinegar?
(Tastes and smells strong...)

 

[kezabel]

Quote:
I believe it's more of a boredom thing, but once they start it's hard to get them to stop. Like with my cochins, once they were in a much bigger pen they just quit eating them. They had nothing better to do in the little cage apparently.

I think maybe its boredom too. Try moving things around in the coop or move the coop if you can. Our girls did eat an egg once and it was the day I forgot to let them out of the coop to free range until the afternoon, we had 2 that thought the grass was greener on the other side lol they jumped the fence because they have eaten all the grass where they run around. So I decided to move there coop around their yard a bit, I changed all the bedding and straw in the boxes and now they seem happy to stay in the yard again.

 

[rufus]

And don't forget the greens. I know what you mean about not having much to feed them as far as greens. I live in Arizona, and for the last year or so, we have not had much in the way of rain.

What little winter grass that showed up last year was gone in no time. I went up and down the alleys picking weeds and winter grass. You will soon learn which weeds they like to eat and which they cannot eat.

A head of cabbage or the trimmings from a head of lettuce is a real treat for them. Kitchen left overs also are a favorite. Anything the kids don't eat can go to the chickens. Waste not, want not.

Also, give them some charcoal to peck on. They love that too.

Rufus

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
SO - this is about egg eating? I missed that - I thought you were just experimenting with the mustard eggs!
By now someone has said that egg eating is a lack of protein, among other dietary issues. The only dietary issue that contributes to the problem is calcium and that only in so far as egg shell strength is concerned.

Egg eating normally starts out as an accident. Here are a few comments made in another thread on the subject:

"Egg eating is a wicked bad habit. AS mentioned, once it starts it can be impossible to stop.

Egg eating is not due to calcium deficiency, but weak egg shells are easier to break into. So add calcium to ensure they are strong.
It is also not a protein deficiency, so don't worry about feeding them cat food or other extra protein sources. Chickens don't stand around the yard saying,

'Uh oh.... I'm feeling low on protein. I think I'll eat these big things coming out of my butt to correct that deficiency.' Not happenin'...

Golf balls sound like a good bit or trickery against the egg eater, but unless you are collecting the eggs fast, they'll just peck at both until they hit the good ones.

An egg hollowed out and stuffed full of chili pepper, mustard or some other noxious concoction are useless, too - chickens aren't affected by these things. Different taste buds. Ive watched chickens chow down on the hottest of chili peppers with genuine relish.

Egg eating is normally the result of an accident; some clumsy hen stumbles over the egg and cracks it; she then spies the crack and starts pecking at it.
Or, she sees a spot of poo or feather clinging to the shell and goes to pecking at that. Once one hen starts, the others follow.

- So keep a clean nest. If you are getting eggs with feces on them, clean the nest and keep it that way.

- Then, get out there and collect the eggs - ASAP. Don't leave them around for the hens to mess with.

- Try hanging a curtain over the nest front so it is dark. Dark nests reduce egg breakage and egg eating as well as the numbers of dirty eggs produced. Chickens wont peck at or eat what they cannot see.

- Ensure a steady supply of clean water. combined with the accidental breakage of eggs, hens may eat their own eggs for the moisture, if they do not have a proper supply of water.

- Consider beak trimming the offenders. While not appealing, it can stop the guilty ones.

- Make sure they have supplemental calcium. This wont cure the habit, but it ensures strong eggs and strong eggs are harder to break into.

- Keep lots of soft litter in the nest for cushion. 3-4" is not too much. And keep it clean.

- Ensure you have adequate nest space. Too many hens crowding the nests leads to clumsy footed egg-breaking - and egg eating. 1 nest per 4 hens is adequate.

- Rollaway nests are an option. These roll the egg out of reach where the hen cant get at them after laying.

In extreme cases of egg eating, culling the offending hens is the final answer. It's easy to tell which one is guilty, too.... it'll be the one with egg on it's face (which is one theory as to where the term comes from)." - - Davaroo

I'm deeply sorry this is happening. It isn't easy to correct and can be devastating. It happens though. You'll be wiser, next time.

 

[norcal]

Thanks Davaroo. I appreciate the info. It's still a waiting game. But, 3 eggs NOT eaten!!!! (though one had a peck hole). And I think it may have just been the SOFT shelled, early eggs.

Hope.....hope.....hope....hope....

 

[Gardeninggranny]

Chickens do not have good taste buds- instead use a hard egg like a plastic easter egg or a wooden craft egg and pick up your eggs as quickly as you can each day.

You could also confine each hen for a day or two in a cage and see who lays and eats the egg and get rid of the offenders.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
No problem. There is a lot of information about chickens and most people get it right - or at least right enough.
But egg eating is one of those mysteries that gets mixed up with lore, often because people dont really understand it.

Im glad to help.

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
I don't think that will work. I put white vinegar and applecider vinager in all my chickens water. read its used as a natural wormer