They are eating their eggs. Help me stop them.

[JaclynSunnyvale]

I have noticed that my hens are eating eggs and I was told they may need to have their beaks trimmed and it will stop. This is the first time I will be doing it. I am looking for some advice thank you.

 

[sourland]

Unless chickens suffer from cross beak, it is generally not necessary to trim their beaks. Can you post pictures?

 

[JaclynSunnyvale]

Unless chickens suffer from cross beak, it is generally not necessary to trim their beaks. Can you post pictures?

They started eating eggs, I was told if I trim their beaks this will stop. I do notice their claws are growing and starting to curl, so maybe they aren’t wearing down. I am going to add in some cement/brick/rocks for them.

 

[Bigdumogre]

There are other options than trimming beaks to stop them from eating eggs like adding ceramic eggs to the nests. they will peck and notice they can't get in them and stop.

 

[JaclynSunnyvale]

There are other options than trimming beaks to stop them from eating eggs like adding ceramic eggs to the nests. they will peck and notice they can't get in them and stop.

I am going to get some, I see wooden and ceramic available. Would they produce the same results?

 

[Pukkits]

I've read ceramic eggs are a good choice so they stop trying to open eggs. Make sure nests are cushioned, as if an egg cracks they almost always eat it. I've also read of some people emptying an egg through a hole, then refilling it with nontoxic orange colored dish soap to create a negative association with the taste. You can also buy nest boxes that roll eggs into a covered area.

While sometimes it's just an "eggs are yummy" thing, sometimes egg eating is a sign of nutrition deficiency. What are your birds eating? Are they getting enough protein and calcium?

Trimming beaks is a medical need to me, for crossed beaks. Remember a bird's beak is like it's hands. Trimming beaks short is an extreme act, usually only done in factory cage farms. I've never heard of trimming beaks to stop egg eating.