O for 3! I want eggs I can use!!

[tracylhl]

I'm getting frustrated. This is the first time I've kept chickens and I've got 4 RIR hens. My birds have laid 3 eggs so far and I haven't been able to take any of them inside yet! The first (Saturday) was laid up high and rolled down and broke on the ground. I watched but couldn't stop it. I picked up the shell and took it away but left the inner stuff and they ate it. Then Wednesday they laid one with no shell (at least it was in the nest box!) . Inner membrane had been slit open and they had eaten most of it. Then this afternoon they laid one. I'm not exactly sure what happened but judging from the way it was cracked, it had a thin shell and I had put a golf ball in the nesting box to show them where to lay (so they wouldn't continue to do it on top of the rabbit hutch!) and I think someone rolled it into the egg. I don't think they had eaten much (if any) from that one and it was the only one where the inner and outer were both visable to them at the same time. I cooked that egg (well... blew it up in the microwave) and fed it to them w/out the shell anywhere nearby.

Soooo.... I'm 0 for 3. My next concern is that they will start cracking their own eggs and eating them since they've now tasted and seen what is inside. Should I be concerned about this or is that not as easily learned as I've been led to believe? I'm trying to watch for eggs constantly but since I can't just sit outside and follow them around for eggs, I'm not sure I can be there the minute they're laid! What should I do? Suggestions? Or is it just early maturity still and we'll have the routine (and useful eggs) going soon?

 

[Akane]

When they first start laying you will get more odd eggs than useable ones. I had one pullet lay shell less eggs for weeks while another laid jumbo 75+ gram eggs for her first month and most of those not double yolkers. Now they all lay standard size eggs that weigh in pretty much exactly right for cooking with. It just takes a few months. Only having 3 hens it will take even longer. If you are only getting one egg a day you may not even have more than one laying at this point.

Mine have gotten plenty of broken eggs and not eaten any whole ones. Lots of people also toss the empty shells back out to them with no problems. I don't think most chickens will eat their own eggs without more of a reason behind it than just getting the occasional broken or deformed one.

 

[tracylhl]

Good to hear! Thanks!

 

[jeanniejayne]

Hey there and welcome! I am pretty new to the chooks, too, and mine laid what I call "snake eggs" -- soft ones-- a few times before they started laying regular ones. And after six weeks they are still establishing their patterns. Mine started early so I had to go right out and get layer mash and oyster shell, but they are beautiful, now! Good luck and hang in there!

 

[chookchick]

Make sure they have lots of oyster shell available, even if they are on a layer mix. And put lots of hay in the nest boxes for padding. I would grab any eggs, or egg parts out of the coop pronto to keep them from egg eating. I am dealing with that right now, and it is frustrating! One of mine, in particular, seems obsessed with looking for eggs--and I suspect it started with soft-shell eggs.

 

[Riven]

Ditto on the oyster shell.

Also listen for the "egg song", they will sing a song when they lay, or right before ( mine usually do after)!

 

[cmom]

I agree.....

 

[crazy huhn]

It will take a while for a pullets body to figure out the whole egg laying thing. However, I would really have them oyster shell available at all times.
Also, whenever you notice that they are/were eating an egg, clean it up ASAP and do not let them develop a taste for it. You may also want to consider to put a TBSP of ACV (with sediments/mother) in 1 Gallon of their drinking water. It will help with the calcium absorbtion of the food and the oyster shell.
Another good idea might be to check, if you can give them more privacy in the nest box by darkening it with a cloth for example, so they do not feel to rush the egg through. The egg shell forms at the very end of the laying process, so they should be able to lay it in a quiet and stress free environment. Make the nest box inviting by cushioning it out with lots of shavings (I even have a piece of carpet inder the shavings, but there are also nest lining pads available by some poultry suppliers).

 

[tracylhl]

Thanks for the great suggestions! I had been told that baking and crushing egg shells was a good source of calcium but it sounds like you all don't subscribe to that theory? Oyster shells are that much better?

 

[ducks4you]

If you have a cat or dog, give them the broken eggs. Mine love 'em.