New member needing advice in Connecticut!

[HopeisWise]

I have had donkeys and horses all my life. When a friend bought a farm and needed help, I said sure….just didn’t know it was for chickens. I am learning but want to ask about a behavior I have been watching. I keep hearing loud squawking-in the houses where hens are laying. Appears that when they go into lay, a chicken will go just outside of the box and scream at the layer. Then I see these hens going in and taking the egg to eat. What is going on here? Is this usual behavior or are these hens hungry? Help. It is disturbing. Thankyou, Hope

 

[triciayoung]

No, this is not normal behavior. I have not had an egg eating problem. Someone will come along that can most likely help.

 

[HopeisWise]

No, this is not normal behavior. I have not had an egg eating problem. Someone will come along that can most likely help.

I hope so. I have two handicapped hens now, housed together and are living in peace. One is blind and the other cannot seem to grow substantial feathers.

 

[triciayoung]

I hope so. I have two handicapped hens now, housed together and are living in peace. One is blind and the other cannot seem to grow substantial feathers.

I have two handicapped hens as well. Make sure the one that cannot grow substantial feathers is warm enough. My handicap hens live in the house.

 

[triciayoung]

https://www.thepioneerchicks.com/how-to-prevent-chickens-from-egg-eating/

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, Hope. Try putting some fake eggs in the box, and be sure and gather the real eggs often. Another option is to purchase a roll out nesting box. Feed them a good quality layer feed.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for joining us.

The squawking you're hearing in the coop is often known as the "Egg Song", but one of the members has written a fantastic article on what it really means. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/learning-center.11/

The egg eating is not good behavior. Hopefully you can break them of that bad habit. The article that @triciayoung linked has some great ideas on discouraging them from eating the eggs. Best of luck!

 

[Jenbirdee]

welcome to BYC!

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC! Glad to have you in this poultry loving community.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!! @TwoCrows has mentioned before that making/buying curtains for the nest boxes might work to keep them out of there unless they're laying eggs. I have heard of a couple folks say that works.

For the feather problem, are they on layer feed? They may need a higher protein feed.