New Layer- Rubber Eggs and Egg Eaters

[GirlsMommy18]

I have 11 pullets, 4 of which started laying over the last month. One pullet started laying 5 or 6 days ago, but her eggs are shelless. Membrane only so far, even with the layer crumbles. Unfortunately, they have been noticed by the other pullets as a meal. Now several of my pullets are eating the shelled eggs as well. I've put in a roll away nest box (that no one had used yet), and I'm probably going to try mustard eggs in the next day or two.

What the heck else do I do? Of course with the 3 definite egg eaters, one is my favorite. I'd really like to avoid cooking her if at all possible....

 

[snow5164]

I tried everything with my beautiful Icelandic hens , I ended up selling the whole flock , they ate as much as they layed ,

Try collecting them a couple times a day, up their protein with tuna or beans , I wouldn’t feed them eggs .

I tried fake eggs, mustard eggs you name it I tried it ....

Good luck that’s frustrating

 

[GirlsMommy18]

Oh dear, that's not encouraging... I really hope that I can break this quickly. Otherwise I guess we'll be eating a couple of hen dinners instead of egg breakfasts.

 

[bobbi-j]

I have 11 pullets, 4 of which started laying over the last month. One pullet started laying 5 or 6 days ago, but her eggs are shelless. Membrane only so far, even with the layer crumbles. Unfortunately, they have been noticed by the other pullets as a meal. Now several of my pullets are eating the shelled eggs as well. I've put in a roll away nest box (that no one had used yet), and I'm probably going to try mustard eggs in the next day or two.

What the heck else do I do? Of course with the 3 definite egg eaters, one is my favorite. I'd really like to avoid cooking her if at all possible....

Have you removed the regular nesting box since you put in the rollaway? Chickens don't like change, and won't change unless they have to. I hope you can figure something out, but glad you have a plan in case you can't.

 

[Folly's place]

And, what is their diet? This pullet may get it together and start producing normal shelled eggs, or not. If there's a dietary issue, fixing it will help. Most birds will happily eat cracked eggs, and leave normal ones alone.
I have had deliberate egg eaters in the past, and they left.
Mary

 

[GirlsMommy18]

Have you removed the regular nesting box since you put in the rollaway? Chickens don't like change, and won't change unless they have to. I hope you can figure something out, but glad you have a plan in case you can't.

I converted their old nest boxes with paint pans and carpet. They aren't impressed with the new nesting material and have been laying on the coop floor in the last 24hrs since I switched the bottoms.

I'm pretty sure I'm missing at least 1 egg as well. Normally I get 3-4 eggs (including rubber), I got 3. Watching the rubber egg explode like a water balloon was interesting. Watching my pullets dive in while trying to shoo them away was not so much.

 

[GirlsMommy18]

And, what is their diet? This pullet may get it together and start producing normal shelled eggs, or not. If there's a dietary issue, fixing it will help. Most birds will happily eat cracked eggs, and leave normal ones alone.
I have had deliberate egg eaters in the past, and they left.
Mary

My girls eat a commercial layer crumble, along with table scraps, cooked and pulverized egg shells occasionally, the occasional cup of cracked corn, and whatever they can find on our 1/4 lot (in the garden, or 'their' weed patch). They also have a tendency to steal the cats food.

 

[aart]

Try putting some bedding in the rollout trays until they get used to using them,
then slowly remove the bedding.

Give them some animal protein...that's why they want the cat food, tho it's not real good for them.

 

[PouleChick]

They need to permanently have free choice oyster / egg shell - one of my girls often lays soft eggs if they run out, even on the so called layer food. Mine started eating the soft ones / cracked ones, and maybe getting into them as well. I tried to have a few days of constant egg collecting, I also still had the hard plaster fake eggs and I'm pretty sure they helped as I imagine it hurts pecking them! It was only a week or so where I had issues, once I put out more oyster shell and collected them quick thye soon forgot about it. They were young and just laying as yours are, I think just be vigilant and you may be OK with them

 

[Folly's place]

Layer feed is meant for high producing birds in commercial facilities who eat nothing else. Your birds are getting many other things, which may be unbalancing their diet. At least have a dish of oyster shell out there all the time! Rather than cat food, buy a better base diet. Here it's Flock Raiser, 20% protein; it works great for all my birds all the time. An all-flock diet might be an answer for your birds too.
Mary