Pullets/hen Eating Eggs?

[Stephenlrb]

I've been raising 3 chicks that are now 3 months old. About a week ago I decided to pick up 1 year old Swedish Flower Hen so that I could start to get fresh eggs now rather than 1-3 months from now. The lady I adopted the hen from said she would take a few days to lay eggs again due to the stress from the move. Last evening (about 5 days later) I watched her lay and egg in the run (thought it was strange for her to lay an egg around 8pm as I thought it would be in the morning) and once the egg popped out, the 3 pullets ran straight to the egg and began pecking at it. I was able to take the egg out before it cracked but now I'm wondering, is it possible that my pullets will try to eat the hens eggs when she lays them? Or were the pullets just curious at this egg as it was their first time (that I know of unless they already ate one of her eggs) seeing a freshly laid egg?

Any information/advice on this would be appreciated. I might be a little paranoid or too cautious as this is my first time raising backyard hens.

 

[katefollot]

I would be preventative and give them either a roll away nest box (google has good examples) or a nest box with a curtain so once laid the egg isn't visible to be pecked at by anyone.

 

[proudmommie31]

I agree with the above, a curtain never hurts, but since she laid it in the run and it was probably their first time seeing a egg? I’d also tend to believe they were super curious about what just happened. I’d bet, if she starts using a nest box it’ll stop. They will soon be laying eggs of their own and it won’t be a novelty thing anymore.

 

[proudmommie31]

Also: it can be really helpful to lay a few plastic or ceramic eggs in the nests so if they peck them they quickly realize it’s not food. And when they are ready to lay they already see eggs in the nests, like a spot light saying “lay here!!!”

 

[Stephenlrb]

Thanks for the responses. I'm hoping she will start laying in the nesting box. I was quite surprised she laid it out in the open like that (maybe due to the new home and hasn't gotten used to the new nest box yet?) And right after that I put in a golf ball so hopefully that helps.

 

[aart]

The pullets reaction was curiosity, might be something to eat...
...so if they do break the egg and find the delicious goodness there it could become a habit. Best keep a sharp eye and gather frequently, fake eggs can surely help,
both to 'bait' the nests for where to lay and to offer an unsuccessful egg breaking experience.

 

[Stephenlrb]

I decided to put a store bought egg into the coop to see what they did with it. Right away they went up to it and started pecking at it but it never cracked or anything and eventually they just ignored it so I'm thinking/hoping they were just curious?

 

[aart]

I decided to put a store bought egg into the coop to see what they did with it. Right away they went up to it and started pecking at it but it never cracked or anything and eventually they just ignored it so I'm thinking/hoping they were just curious?

Yes. This is why fake egg work too.
They'll eventually get used to seeing eggs and leave them alone.