Why are my hens eating their own eggs?

[SHeld]

I just now figured out that the reason my hens are not laying is now I’m finding shells near the main nests that the three like to lay in. One hen is sitting there most of the time.

 

[SHeld]

I will try fake eggs first or even the mustard. Thanks for that suggestion.

 

[featheredplanets]

What are you feeding them? What do the shells look like? They could be laying soft eggs and those usually split or break with a claw. Does the hen look like she's straining to lay or could she be broody?

 

[aart]

Sure mustard makes a mess, but the look on a chickens face when they start eating what they think is a yummy egg, then get a nice bite of mustard is priceless. Absolutely priceless.

Did you see it?
Get it on video?(that would be GREAT!)
Did it cure your egg eating problem?

Most times it doesn't work.
Chickens don't have heat receptors so spicy stuff doesn't faze them.
Hard fake eggs are more effective without the mess.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I have not changed feed, they are over 1 1/2 years old. Their shells are very strong. I have noticed several pecks in the shells also. She is definitely broody.

They might’ve just picked up the habit. I personally think fake eggs or hollowed out eggs with mustard work the best to deter egg eating.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Sure mustard makes a mess, but the look on a chickens face when they start eating what they think is a yummy egg, then get a nice bite of mustard is priceless. Absolutely priceless.

 

[aart]

Good ideas. I need to break her habit. Thanks.

Does she show the signs I posted?
Seriously, how long has she been sitting a nest?
The longer she's been broody the longer it may take to break her.

 

[SHeld]

Does she show the signs I posted?
Seriously, how long has she been sitting a nest?
The longer she's been broody the longer it may take to break her.

Defi

now dried grass clippings. Then, after a few days and another mowing, I would dump more bins of grass clippings into the run. I repeated

nitely has same signs. She surely read the book!

 

[SHeld]

Curtains over the nest boxes work well.

You mean like hanging from above? Will they still enter the boxes?

 

[SHeld]

Yes, I covered my nest boxes 3/4 of the way and I parted the curtains for a week or two. I put fake wooden eggs in the boxes.

Thanks. Interesting . Maybe Grumpy would not like staying there so well.