New Layers Eating Their Own Eggs?

[Barn Yarn Chicken]

So after waiting and waiting I finally got an egg from my RIR hen! I decided to fence in a place for them, and buy oyster shell. I found this egg in a little dirt nest, it was busted. It was a small egg. But how can I keep my hens from eating their eggs?

 

[Teila]

Hi there Barn Yarn Chicken

Congratulations on the first egg!

Chickens new to laying can sometimes take a while to get the hang of it and their internal plumbing can also need some adjustment time.

She may not have broken the egg intentionally to eat it and could have laid it standing up or accidentally squashed it.

If chickens come across a broken egg, they are opportunists and will most likely eat it but they are not necessarily eggs eaters per say. My gals will eat a broken egg but have never broken one intentionally to eat it.

With it being her first, the shell may not have been very hard and this could also be the reason it broke.

You mention that you have oyster shell on hand which I recommend keeping separate [away from their food], in the coop etc where they can partake if and when they desire. I find my gals normally have a peck before going to roost at night.

Having said all that, there are chickens who are egg eaters and if you are concerned that you have an egg eater, there are numerous threads on the topic. If you pop 'egg eating' into the Search option, you will be able to find them.

Good luck!

 

[Pork Pie]

 

[aart]

So after waiting and waiting I finally got an egg from my RIR hen! I decided to fence in a place for them, and buy oyster shell. I found this egg in a little dirt nest, it was busted. It was a small egg. But how can I keep my hens from eating their eggs?

If you found the busted egg, she probably didn't eat it...usually they chow down the whole thing and all you find is a wet spot.
Was the shell thin?
Do they have nests to lay in?
Have you 'baited' the nests with fake eggs?

But how can I keep my hens from eating their eggs?

Gather eggs frequently.
Feed good nutrition, including some animal protein.

 

[Barn Yarn Chicken]

Hi there Barn Yarn Chicken

Congratulations on the first egg!

Chickens new to laying can sometimes take a while to get the hang of it and their internal plumbing can also need some adjustment time.

She may not have broken the egg intentionally to eat it and could have laid it standing up or accidentally squashed it.

If chickens come across a broken egg, they are opportunists and will most likely eat it but they are not necessarily eggs eaters per say. My gals will eat a broken egg but have never broken one intentionally to eat it.

With it being her first, the shell may not have been very hard and this could also be the reason it broke.

You mention that you have oyster shell on hand which I recommend keeping separate [away from their food], in the coop etc where they can partake if and when they desire. I find my gals normally have a peck before going to roost at night.

Having said all that, there are chickens who are egg eaters and if you are concerned that you have an egg eater, there are numerous threads on the topic. If you pop 'egg eating' into the Search option, you will be able to find them.

Good luck!

Okay! Thank you! This is very helpful!!!

 

[Barn Yarn Chicken]

If you found the busted egg, she probably didn't eat it...usually they chow down the whole thing and all you find is a wet spot.
Was the shell thin?
Do they have nests to lay in?
Have you 'baited' the nests with fake eggs?

Gather eggs frequently.
Feed good nutrition, including some animal protein.

Okay! The shell wasn't very thin. Yes, I have 3 nesting boxes open 24/7 for them. And I have, but they haven't showed any interest of the fake eggs.

 

[aart]

Okay! The shell wasn't very thin. Yes, I have 3 nesting boxes open 24/7 for them. And I have, but they haven't showed any interest of the fake eggs.

It can take them time to figure it all out....curiosity pecking of eggs is not unusual-why it's good to gather frequently at first...meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

 

[Abriana]

You can put fake eggs in the nest