Pecking and Eating eggs

[What_TheDuck]

Hi. We are having an egg pecking/eating problem between our 7 birds. We have 4 pullets that are just starting to lay, and 3 older girls (maybe around 3-4 years?) who still lay every now and then. I walked into our coop today to find 2 out of the older birds eating 2 freshly laid eggs in one of the egg boxes. I was pretty bummed because I think it was my first Green Queen's egg and was a bit smaller than normal. Anyways, this has been going on for a month or so, does anyone have any tips on how to stop them from pecking/eating the eggs? I have given them some oyster shell every now and then. I live in California, so the cold temperature should definitely not be the factor for this. We are just starting to warm up to the 70s this week.

Someone help lol. Would hate to have my first pullets' eggs go to waste.

 

[EverV]

Hi! I'm not sure on this, but I think first of all you'll want to leave out calcium all the time. Second, egg eating is a very annoying habit. You'll most likely want to put a fake (ceramic, wooden, etc) egg or golf ball in the nesting box(es), as well as a couple blown eggs filled with strong mustard. The idea behind these is that being unable to break the fake eggs frustrates them, and they hate the taste of the mustard. Let's see if anybody else will chime in here and prove me right or wrong. Good luck!

 

[What_TheDuck]

Hi! I'm not sure on this, but I think first of all you'll want to leave out calcium all the time. Second, egg eating is a very annoying habit. You'll most likely want to put a fake (ceramic, wooden, etc) egg or golf ball in the nesting box(es), as well as a couple blown eggs filled with strong mustard. The idea behind these is that being unable to break the fake eggs frustrates them, and they hate the taste of the mustard. Let's see if anybody else will chime in here and prove me right or wrong. Good luck!

I have heard that putting things in eggs doesn't affect the chickens, but I'm okay with trying anything at this point lol. The fake egg idea does seem like a good one tho! Would a round rock work?

 

[EverV]

I have heard that putting things in eggs doesn't affect the chickens, but I'm okay with trying anything at this point lol. The fake egg idea does seem like a good one tho! Would a round rock work?

Yup, I think so, as long as it's easily mistaken for an egg! Huh, where did you hear that putting things in the eggs doesn't affect them? Just curious, as on here and on other sites I've read that's the best way to stop it.

 

[What_TheDuck]

Yup, I think so, as long as it's easily mistaken for an egg! Huh, where did you hear that putting things in the eggs doesn't affect them? Just curious, as on here and on other sites I've read that's the best way to stop it.

I don't remember where I heard that from, but I remember it being said I guess! It's worth a try tho.

 

[AngBantamLuv]

I don't remember where I heard that from, but I remember it being said I guess! It's worth a try tho.

Did you have any success breaking the egg breaking habit? I added a ceramic egg, but the egg breaking continues. Never was an issue before the youngest started laying a few days ago. They were either super excited by her song (her song is a little different than their's) or due to her egg color being different than theirs. I only have 3 bantams, so those eggs are important for my breakfast

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

A few ideas...

You might try increasing the protein in their diet.

Try to check for eggs multiple times so you get them before they are pecked.

Try to determine the bird doing it and isolate her from the rest... so she can not destroy all the eggs.

Put in roll away egg laying boxes.

Cull the culprit... give her away or slaughter.

Do not breed the egg eater.

Good Luck

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I agree with @Lauravonsmurf's suggestions but I also want to emphasize the importance of making oystershell available at all times in a separate container so your birds can help themselves to as much as they need. They know how much that is, far better than we do! It should be available on a free-feed basis, just like grit. I have also heard that filling the nests with stone eggs is helpful in breaking this unfortunate habit. I certainly wish you luck, as quickly as possible, before this miscreant teaches this habit to your other birds!