Stinking, dirty egg eater.

[tn_artist]

I'm home early because the heat went out last night and I had to meet the HVAC guy at the house. Sitting here watching chickens and I see what looks like two fighting over a nest box. A couple of minutes later one is running around with an egg in her beak, chased by others trying to get it.
They get 18% protein flock raiser and meal worm snacks. The also get finely crushed egg shell or oyster shell.
She's in there now, pecking the wooden eggs.
I don't really have somewhere to isolate her, my daughter will be upset if we "off" her, and I can't give her away in good conscience.
What to do?

 

[B-Goock]

Time to soap egg their greedy beaks!
Take an egg. Poke a hole in it and blow it out that you have an empty shell. Full it with pump hand soap and strategically place it in there for them to find. A couple times of getting a soap egg and they will leave them alone

 

[nuthatched]

I'd off her, unfortunately, that sometimes must be done with livestock. it's going to have to he explained to your daughter that the other chickens will learn the bad behavior if not.
some people blow out an egg and fill it with something unpalatable, so when the chicken cracks it and tries to eat it, it will find it nasty and stop.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I've never really had much success breaking an egg eater once they get into the habit.
But I know others have filled eggs with unpleasant tasting stuff, and had it work wonders! Good luck! I hope you can break her.

 

[tn_artist]

Time to soap egg their greedy beaks!
Take an egg. Poke a hole in it and blow it out that you have an empty shell. Full it with pump hand soap and strategically place it in there for them to find. A couple times of getting a soap egg and they will leave them alone

Excellent!

 

[chickens really]

Boredom and too much protein can cause egg eaters and the nest boxes too brightly lit.

 

[DuckGirl77]

Try deep bedding in the nestboxes to draw less attention to the eggs. If possible, get them outside and busy so they aren't sitting around bored in the coop. Especially in the winter, they can get bored and want to try new things lol. It's a hard habit to break, but the sooner you act, the better. Good luck with her!

 

[B-Goock]

You may not have enough nests so everyone is crawling over the eggs and getting them broke? Sometimes that is what starts it. An accidental broken egg and they sample it.

I've done the soap egg more than once & it works. Put one in the nest and they attack it seeing that it's got a hole and looks like egg goo. Let them all have at it. Sneak one on the coop floor. Leave an intentional crack or hole so they see it's broke. Eat up girls. They will be less enthusiastic.
Do one in the run. 2 or 3 may sample but nope.
Next day put one in a nest or coop floor. Likely won't even try it.
Day later "accidentally" drop an egg (with soap in it) oops. A couple may try it. Leave it for a bit.
A week later plant another soap egg.

 

[tn_artist]

Boredom and too much protein can cause egg eaters and the nest boxes too brightly lit.

Did not know that! They have been cooped up, literally, due to weather and lack of daylight when I get home some times.

 

[chickens really]

Did not know that! They have been cooped up, literally, due to weather and lack of daylight when I get home some times.

Definitely rethink your run and Coop.