Terrible start

[Trish of the Coop]

Hey guys, I need some advice or wisdom. This will be my second year with chickens. I have three, I have an older Easter Egger probably 6 years old, I have a little white and black one I'm assuming an Americana 3 to 4 years old, and a black sex link that just turned 2. I'm in Ontario and the girls just started laying about a week ago. The americana's eggs are perfectly fine, but I've noticed if I don't get them out right away first thing in the morning they've started eating them. Usually they're frozen. The other thing I noticed today is that the oldest looks like her butt is covered in egg so I'm assuming she's either had an egg break or laid one without a shell. We had issues with her egg shells last year being weak nonexistent or laying with a hole in it. I'm not off to a good start and any help would be appreciated. I should also note that they are on laying feed and have access to oyster shells but generally won't eat them.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

So their eating their eggs? You can buy fake eggs and when they try to eat them they won’t get anywhere. Sometimes that will work. I bet there’s lots of things online too....

 

[21hens-incharge]

Frozen eggs are often cracked. They will eat cracked eggs pretty enthusiastically.

It doesn't mean they are egg eaters (hens that target eggs that are not defective regularly).

As to the shell quality issues in an older hen I just don't know if there is a fix for that.

 

[Trish of the Coop]

So their eating their eggs? You can buy fake eggs and when they try to eat them they won’t get anywhere. Sometimes that will work. I bet there’s lots of things online too...

I keep looking online and I get mixed answers. Some say food is an issue others say boredom... I'm kind of at a loss. They have the best food I can get ( plus snacks) they have a whole jungle gym in their coop (beyond spoiled). The old girl like I said is at least 6 years old maybe older and shells were a big issue last year so I'm thinking it may not be connecte, but my thought was maybe someone would know if or what I'm doing wrong? They didn't do this last year so I'm not entirely sure.

 

[Trish of the Coop]

Frozen eggs are often cracked. They will eat cracked eggs pretty enthusiastically.

It doesn't mean they are egg eaters (hens that target eggs that are not defective regularly).

As to the shell quality issues in an older hen I just don't know if there is a fix for that.

Really? Crap I never thought of the cracks being an issue and now that you say that they didnt start laying this early last year. Omg that makes me feel a bit better.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Really? Crap I never thought of the cracks being an issue and now that you say that they didnt start laying this early last year. Omg that makes me feel a bit better.

It is often a cause of eggs eaten in the nest. Actually cracked, thin shelled and shell less eggs are common targets. It can be frustrating as broken eggs end up getting yolk on neighboring eggs and then THOSE get broken by birds after the yolk on them.

Sooooo messy!

 

[Trish of the Coop]

It is often a cause of eggs eaten in the nest. Actually cracked, thin shelled and shell less eggs are common targets. It can be frustrating as broken eggs end up getting yolk on neighboring eggs and then THOSE get broken by birds after the yolk on them.

Sooooo messy!

Thankfully they are frozen at the moment. Not as bad. I would have never thought of that as the cause though. Definitely glad I know now to check

 

[aart]

I keep looking online and I get mixed answers. Some say food is an issue others say boredom... I'm kind of at a loss. They have the best food I can get ( plus snacks) they have a whole jungle gym in their coop (beyond spoiled).

Could be either.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?

How big is coop and run, in feet by feet(or meter x meters)?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

The other thing I noticed today is that the oldest looks like her butt is covered in egg

Should take a good look back there and clean her up if needed.

 

[Trish of the Coop]

Could be either.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?

How big is coop and run, in feet by feet(or meter x meters)?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.


Should take a good look back there and clean her up if needed.

The coop/run is massive for 3 girls. I beleive ita 14 ft by 10 and covered with their little coop inside. They have free roam in it. We had alot of issues last year with the old ones eggs. She quite often would have them on her butt if they had no shell or she would lay with an incomplete shell. I think it may be an age thing and I knew when I got her this would be her retirement home.

 

[Trish of the Coop]

Laying pellets for feed plus greens as a snack sunflower seeds and boiled beef bones are the main ones. Also some fruit here and there. All in moderation of course.