My chickens are eating their eggs. What should I do?

[MaryTheChickenLover]

I had this problem. I put a ceramic egg in each nest box. I made curtains to help make it darker. I switched to layer feed and I feed them back their own crushed eggshells a few times a week (I also offer oyster shells). We increased the size of their run so they have more space. And we check for eggs frequently so they don't have as much of an opportunity.
I found a softshell egg on the coop floor yesterday morning and none of the chickens tried to eat it. I think it must have been the first egg for one of the hens. There are 2 hens I haven't seen in the nest box yet.

The suggestion for a paint tray?! That is a neat idea. I'm going to look into that.

That is super smart! I am going to try all those things!

 

[AChickensBestBuddy]

Sounds like one taught the others. I can be a nutrition problem if they need calcium or protein.

The same happened with our chickens but when we moved out the naughty ones they seemed to forget. We have not had a problem yet!

 

[vpatt]

I think I should be seeing eggs and I'm not. Can they eat every speck of egg, wouldn't there be some for me to see?

 

[MaryTheChickenLover]

I think I should be seeing eggs and I'm not. Can they eat every speck of egg, wouldn't there be some for me to see?

Yes, they can eat every single speck. You will only know if they are eating their eggs if you catch them in the act.

 

[vpatt]

Yes, they can eat every single speck. You will only know if they are eating their eggs if you catch them in the act.

Thank you...well maybe I will have to stay outside more. But now that I think of it I have not heard a single egg song. One hen I think may be too old.....one may not have begun laying yet then I have some new ones that may just not have settled in yet. One has been here a week and two only two days.

 

[aart]

I think I should be seeing eggs and I'm not. Can they eat every speck of egg, wouldn't there be some for me to see?

If it happens in a nest with decent bedding, some of it will seep down into the bedding.
Dig around to see if you find a 'wet spot'.
I can smell a broken egg.

If you do have an egg breaker/eater, there are some great suggestions in this thread,
in case you haven't rad all of it already.

 

[vpatt]

If it happens in a nest with decent bedding, some of it will seep down into the bedding.
Dig around to see if you find a 'wet spot'.
I can smell a broken egg.

If you do have an egg breaker/eater, there are some great suggestions in this thread,
in case you haven't rad all of it already.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[vpatt]

I heard the egg song this morning and found an egg! Maybe not egg eaters but slow or late layers?

 

[Sheilark]

There is a special 300$ nesting box that we bought it fits like 20-30 chickens at a time and fits 50 eggs. And once they lay the eggs the eggs roll into a tray so the chickens can’t get to them

Where do you get that nest box or how do I find it?

 

[Duckbreeder2020]

Where do you get that nest box or how do I find it?

Amazon