New layers starting to eat eggs

[Asriix]

Hi,
So I have 13 hens and only 4 are laying right now. The 4 are RID. Reds have been laying 1 week.

3 days ago, I went out to the coop before the door opened. When it opened there was a lot of commotion and I saw 2 or 3 of the other hens (sapphire gems) pecking at an egg. I managed to grab the egg before they ate it, thinking I’d dodged a bullet.

But the next day, I got no eggs. I usually get 3 or 4 a day. I started freaking out, But later in the evening there was 1 egg in the nest box. And then he next day there were 2 out of my normal 4. I felt relieved.

Today, I caught some chickens this morning eating an egg again. This time it looked like the yolk had been eaten, so I quickly scooped it up and shooed them out. I put down a fake egg to see what would happen and to my horror at least 2 hens came up and began trying to peck at it.

My Problems:

2 of my hens wont lay in the nesting boxes. They often lay eggs all over the ground in the chicken run, unprotected or they lay inside the coop on the floor in the early morning. That’s why the hens have access to the eggs and can get them.

I though it might sort itself out, but it’s evolved into egg eating and I’m not sure what to do

Before you ask:

• Yes, I have enough nesting boxes for the number of hens. But as only 4 are actually laying, it can’t be lack of nests.
• Yes, they get calcium supplements. Right now, the eggs are varying in thickness. Some are really thick some a little thinner. I figured it was because they’re new layers.
• No, it’s not from calcium deficiency. I think someone foolishly laid an egg right by the door and it got crushed because in the morning my chickens lose their minds and squash all over each other trying to get out.
• yes, the nest is dark and secluded. The nest is a rollout nest so when they lay the eggs roll into a collector.

okay, I think that’s everything. Thank you for reading and helping a new chicken person out!

 

[aart]

I managed to grab the egg before they ate it, thinking I’d dodged a bullet.

Was this egg thin or soft shelled?
Those break easily and are fair game for eating, IMO.
Best to gather as frequently as possible to quell any bad habits.
Fake eggs can help, they peck at the and learn nothing there.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Egg eating is not always about calcium deficiency.

How big is the coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

New layers are a bit crazy, can take up to a month or so for things to smooth out.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It could be a protein thing too. My males and goodies especially love when I feed eggs.

 

[Asriix]

Was this egg thin or soft shelled?
Those break easily and are fair game for eating, IMO.
Best to gather as frequently as possible to quell any bad habits.
Fake eggs can help, they peck at the and learn nothing there.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Egg eating is not always about calcium deficiency.

How big is the coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

New layers are a bit crazy, can take up to a month or so for things to smooth out.

it was thin shelled for sure. I bought some fake eggs! but since they lay all over the place... should I put them all over? They don’t peck at eggs in the nesting boxes at all. (There was 1 sitting in there Untouched that didn’t roll down)

I’m giving 16% layer feed that they have free access to All day, plus I supplement everyday with Fresh veggie treats and I give them grit and crushed oyster shell.

The run is 19’x10’ and the coop is 8’x4’ and when they are all inside The coop there’s room to spare. (They only use half the coop for sleeping)

I had no idea! I thought they just would go in my little boxes. I’m sitting here trying to figure out what I did wrong! So it helps to know that it can be crazy..

 

[Asriix]

It could be a protein thing too. My males and goodies especially love when I feed eggs.

I didn’t think of that, I’ll try it and see if it helps

 

[aart]

I’m giving 16% layer feed that they have free access to All day, plus I supplement everyday with Fresh veggie treats

Might want to cut out the veg for now.
If you have seen them peck open and eat a hard shelled egg, I'd not worry too much.
Pretty sure this is just opportunistic pecking/eating of easily broken eggs.

 

[tricialemon]

When my girls were first laying (they're 2 years old now and lay every day, no problems), we did have some that would like to eat the eggs. This was usually when there was already a crack in one and it broke when they laid on it, or just out of curiosity I suppose, because they're always well-fed.

Like you and others have already mentioned, I bought some fake eggs and laid them in the nest boxes and pretty soon we didn't have any egg-eating problems. If you buy enough fake ones to spread across a few boxes, it should encourage the girls to start laying up there, and once they realize they aren't getting anything out of them, should discourage any further "investigations."

My hens will still eat an egg that breaks, but they have never purposely pecked at any eggs since. That's just what worked for my girls when they were young and a bit nosy, haha!
Good luck