Whole flock eating eggs

[Holly_Rae]

I have a flock of 9 birds, 8 hens and a rooster. For the last 3 weeks they have been eating every single egg that is laid. If i see an egg being eaten, I've separated out the hen but I have got to the point that I've witnessed nearly all of them eating the eggs! I haven't pinpointed whether there is one or two breakers and all the rest taking advantage or if they are all breaking...I've also tried golf balls and giving more than normal feed rations. Please help! I'll try anything!

 

[starri33]

We suspected one or two of my girls of egg eating, we made roll away nest boxes, the eggs roll under a lid of sorts and they can't get to them, there are several videos on you-tube about making them, ours were paint trays that tip.. we put down some carpet/grass looking stuff in the tray

 

[starri33]

do your shells seem thin? if they are, the eggs could be getting broke on accident and then the girls just taking advantage of it.

 

[Fishkeeper]

What are you feeding? Do they have extra calcium available? It could be they have a nutrient deficiency.

 

[wyoDreamer]

What are you using for nesting material in the nest box?
Are the eggs freezing before you collect them?

My hens started to eat their eggs this winter - the eggs froze, cracked open and then they cleaned up. I was also having a problem with nest box material - I ran out of the straw I was using and tried using a fine wood chip. I noticed that the fine wood chips seemed to pack down too easy and the eggs sat on top of the wood chips. I recently switched to a larger wood chip - about 1" or more in size - and they are making a nest in the box and laying their eggs all in the one nest. They are no longer eating their eggs.

 

[50-45-1]

I am curious what your nest box setup looks like.
Some birds start this habbit because of boredom. Does your flock have enough space and things to keep them busy?
Also if you can make your nest boxes darker. They can not eat what they can not see.
I notice my hens favorite nest box is the one in the corner farhest away from the window. It is the darkest box.
I also have 3 fake eggs and golf balls in each nest. I think this also discourages egg eating, as well as laying the eggs in the right spot.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

more than normal feed rations

They should have access to feed all the time unless roosting... Not sure what you mean by ration but my guess is they are hungry.

Gary

 

[aart]

More info please:
your coop(size in feet by feet with pics),
and what and how exactly you are feeding,
might offer clues to if there is a solvable problem.

 

[WiccanKC]

try filling an egg with mustard, then egg eating would be deterred

 

[Helicopter Mom]

I too am having the same issue. Unfortunately, I don't know which bird(s) is the problem. By the time I notice it there's nothing left but a large wet spot at the bottom of the nest box.

Wondering if it's because of some deficiency or if they were accidentally getting stepped on.

Thinking of adding more boxes?? Any thoughts and suggestions would be helpful.