EGG EATING ENTIRE FLOCK!!!!

[lexi234]

I am having this issue now although I really need help as it's been months. I've been in and out of hospice, and over that time my mom handled my chickens and they developed this. I am trying everything, even filling fake eggs with mustard. It is my entire flock and they camp out in the coop, wait until an egg is dropped, and attack. i also added some flock block/treats and additional change of diet for nutrition. Today is my first day, but has anyone been able to win this battle with a whole flock? and such prolonged behavior?
i have ALSO been checking the coop upwards of three times a day. Some of these chickens I've had for five years now... please tell me i don't have to cull and restart. I cannot install roll-out trays in my coop, or can't think of how.

 

[Nomadicus]

How many hens have you got?

 

[lexi234]

How many hens have you got?

i have a total of 13 hens in my main flock, 2 roosters. I am also trying to rehome a rooster t reduce any potential over-breeding or over-population but don't appear to have those issues. i do have other coops who are unaffected by this, but these are my main production birds of course. my other pens are breeding bantams

 

[Nomadicus]

I cannot install roll-out trays in my coop, or can't think of how.

There are small roll out nests for as few as 10 hens that don't take up much space at all. I was going to try and build my own but after thinking it through is was much cheaper to buy a Best system.

 

[Nomadicus]

i have a total of 13 hens in my main flock, 2 roosters. I am also trying to rehome a rooster t reduce any potential over-breeding or over-population but don't appear to have those issues. i do have other coops who are unaffected by this, but these are my main production birds of course. my other pens are breeding bantams

Do you have a space 25" wide on a wall in your coop where a nest box can be mounted? This is the only quick way that I can think of to stop the egg eating.

https://bestnestbox.com/products/medium-roll-out-chicken-nest-box

 

[lexi234]

Do you have a space 25" wide on a wall in your coop where a nest box can be mounted? This is the only quick way that I can think of to stop the egg eating.

https://bestnestbox.com/products/medium-roll-out-chicken-nest-box

I definitely have enough room for that, but any tips on teaching them to switch? Im trying to attach a photo of my current coop... it has the regular nesting box built outwards, but i could remove the wooden frame and replace it. Just not sure how they would react.

 

[Shadrach]

I am having this issue now although I really need help as it's been months. I've been in and out of hospice, and over that time my mom handled my chickens and they developed this. I am trying everything, even filling fake eggs with mustard. It is my entire flock and they camp out in the coop, wait until an egg is dropped, and attack. i also added some flock block/treats and additional change of diet for nutrition. Today is my first day, but has anyone been able to win this battle with a whole flock? and such prolonged behavior?
i have ALSO been checking the coop upwards of three times a day. Some of these chickens I've had for five years now... please tell me i don't have to cull and restart. I cannot install roll-out trays in my coop, or can't think of how.

They can't eat them if the eggs are not there. For some the answer is to check the nest boxes on a regular basis and remove the eggs.
For others the suggestion by LTAY1946 may prove the easiest option.

​

 

[lexi234]

really hoping you will be able to tell by this photo. I’m sorry! it is a large coop.

 

[lexi234]

They can't eat them if the eggs are not there. For some the answer is to check the nest boxes on a regular basis and remove the eggs.
For others the suggestion by LTAY1946 may prove the easiest option.

​

​

thank you! i am trying to go out there upwards of 3 times per day, but also am still recovering.

 

[Nomadicus]

I definitely have enough room for that, but any tips on teaching them to switch? Im trying to attach a photo of my current coop... it has the regular nesting box built outwards, but i could remove the wooden frame and replace it. Just not sure how they would react.

Don;t give them any other choice. They will investigate what is behind the red vinyl flags and if you use plastic eggs they will use it. I put velcro on the plastic eggs to adhere them to the back of the box and they took to the box like they did to bugs.