My 12 week old pullet layed an egg today and ate half of it! What is going on?

[KamiO]

I have 12 pullets that are 12 weeks old. I've had them since they were a few days old. Today one of them, I'm not sure which one, but my guess would be the largest buff orphington, layed an egg. They pecked at it and broke it, but I have half of the shell. Why would they peck at it? I'm guessing because its foreign, or a vitamin defiency? The shell wasn't super thin, like I was expecting, but it was kind of a small egg. They have all been on chick food, should I switch them all to layer now? I thought it would be another month or 2 before they started laying? Thanks for your insight!

 

[boskelli1571]

Welcome!

Unfortunately, your chick now knows how yummy fresh eggs are! 12 weeks is a bit young - oh well. You are going to have to keep a close eye on them for egg eating, once it's established, it's a very hard habit to break.
Personally, I would not switch to layer as long as you are sure they are only 12 weeks. There is simply too much calcium in layer feed for chicks - it can 'gum up' the kidneys. Once they hit 18 weeks, change them over.

 

[aart]

Put out some oyster shell in a separate container for them pronto.

12 weeks is really young, are you positive about their age?
What breed are they?

Collect eggs frequently so they don't have a chance to develop the habit of eating eggs,
was probably curiosity with a prize.

 

[KamiO]

Yes, I'm positive of their age. They were hatched on July 4th and we got them on July 11th at one week old. They will be 13 weeks old on Saturday. We have a variety of breeds. 3 buff orphingtons, 3 ronde island reds, 3 black Astralorps, and 3 Amaeracaunas. Ok, I put the oyster shells out for them.
There hasn't been an egg today, but I keep checking. Here is a pic of them the day we got them, and also a pic of the egg. The egg looks white in the pic, but it actually is a very light brown color.