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[Jonathanq1]

Thats what I was thinking but I have her in the basement it's like 57 degrees when outside it's like 28 degrees. I had all my hens outside until mid December. When I brought them in the basement a few weeks later they started laying again. We'll see what happens I will keep you posted.

 

[Red jungle fowl88]

well hope she go broody for ya!!! do you know any tricks besides golf balls to stop my hen from eating her eggs?

 

[Ra_]

Have you altered how many light hours you are giving them?

 

[Jonathanq1]

I have never done that and I heard that plays a factor as to how much they lay as well.

 

[Jonathanq1]

Actually I heard feeding them raw eggs would prevent them from breaking there own. I have never tried it though and I don't think it makes much sense either but let me know if it works.

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[DTchickens]

Quote:

It works because sometimes when the hen eats eggs it is because she is lacking something, when you feed her raw eggs that aren't as important (like eggs from the grocery store) she gets the nutrients she is looking for without eating the eggs you want to keep. But sometimes egg eating is just a habit, and feeding them eggs won't help.

-Daniel.

 

[voodoochicken04]

common causes of hen's eating eggs is because there isn't enough space..over crowding, not enough nest space, or they don't have enough water to consume. They will eat the eggs to "supplement" the lack of fluids. Just something to think about here.

 

[Red jungle fowl88]

hey thanks a lot guys well i have here in a pretty big breading pen 5x5x8 so its a decent size for two birds water they have enough and nesting well its only here in there. i started throwing fresh greens grass for them to pick at instead of the eggs.... i really hope i can break this habbit... any other suggestions willl be greatly appricated...

 

[Ra_]

Maybe they eat eggs because they crave protein?
You can see birds eating feathers for the protein.

Dry kitten food is about 40% protein. If they eat enough of that they won't crave protein.
I occasionally soak a little in milk and offer it.

 

[voodoochicken04]

Quote:
Causes for hens eating their eggs

The causes that incite hens to eat their eggs usually result because of poor husbandry or management practices. Chickens do not naturally eat their eggs. Once the management of the flock is restored to an acceptable state, the egg eating will stop. The list of major causes and corrections are listed below. A factsheet entitled Prevention of Egg Eating discusses the subject in more detail.

* If shells of the eggs are thin and weak, provide proper diets as discussed in the nutrition section to correct the problem.
* Not enough nest space is provided. Provide at least one standard nest for each four hens.
* Keep plenty of soft nesting material in the nest so eggs will have a cushion on which to lay.
* Collect the eggs more regularly, at least 2 or 3 times daily. The longer the eggs remain in the nest, the greater chance of breakage and consumption.
* Provide plenty of clean, fresh drinking water. Hens need greater amounts of water than other birds and may consume their eggs for the liquid content.
* Cull non-laying hens from the flock. Refer to Culling Hens for assistance with this process.
* Maintain a disease-free flock that is treated regularly for internal and external parasites.
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_eat_eggs.html