Help! Chickens won’t stop eating eggs!

[ErikCH]

Hi, my chickens keep eating their eggs. I built a new roll away nesting box but I can’t get them to lay in there.

I have also filled some egg shells with dish soap and cinnamon, which puts them off for a few days, then they’re right back at it.

What can I do???

 

[21hens-incharge]

Can you tell us more about your flock please?

Breeds of birds and ages helps.
Are there soft shell or fragile eggs being laid?
What feed are you using and any/all treats being given?
Do they have free choice calcium (oyster shell) available?
How bright is the nesting area they are using?
What nest box material?

If an egg gets cracked it is of course very messy. They will all join in on cleaning it up along with breaking more eggs and then cleaning those up too.

 

[Acre4Me]

Figure out the egg eater (or two) and get rid of them. It is very, very hard to break them. But, other options:

1. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nest. They are not rewarded when they peck.

2. Collect more frequently. Less opportunity for them.

3. Increase their protein in their feed. If you are feeding layer feed, move to an all flock feed then also provide them with oyster shell for calcium. The all flock feed I use is 20% protein, but most layer feeds are only 16% protein.

4. If you don’t provide oyster shell now, provide it just in case the egg eater needs more calcium.

5. You can increase protein with giving some meat too - watch the salt it is not good for them. So, boil some meat (no salt). Chop up, they will devour it faster than you can imagine.

 

[aart]

I built a new roll away nesting box but I can’t get them to lay in there.

You may have to bed the new nest like the old one until they get used to the new ones.
Then reduce the amount of bedding slowly to enable to roll away function.

Meanwhile gather eggs frequently and put a few fake eggs in the nests.

 

[ErikCH]

Figure out the egg eater (or two) and get rid of them. It is very, very hard to break them. But, other options:

1. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nest. They are not rewarded when they peck.

2. Collect more frequently. Less opportunity for them.

3. Increase their protein in their feed. If you are feeding layer feed, move to an all flock feed then also provide them with oyster shell for calcium. The all flock feed I use is 20% protein, but most layer feeds are only 16% protein.

4. If you don’t provide oyster shell now, provide it just in case the egg eater needs more calcium.

5. You can increase protein with giving some meat too - watch the salt it is not good for them. So, boil some meat (no salt). Chop up, they will devour it faster than you can imagine.

Thank you for the advice

 

[ErikCH]

You may have to bed the new nest like the old one until they get used to the new ones.
Then reduce the amount of bedding slowly to enable to roll away function.

Meanwhile gather eggs frequently and put a few fake eggs in the nests.

Thank you for the advice. I will definitely try with the bedding

 

[ErikCH]

Can you tell us more about your flock please?

Breeds of birds and ages helps.
Are there soft shell or fragile eggs being laid?
What feed are you using and any/all treats being given?
Do they have free choice calcium (oyster shell) available?
How bright is the nesting area they are using?
What nest box material?

If an egg gets cracked it is of course very messy. They will all join in on cleaning it up along with breaking more eggs and then cleaning those up too.

I have 2 Araucana, 1 Wyandotte and 1 Copper Maran all 2 plus years old, 2 mixed from Wyandotte and Copper Maran that are about 1 and a half years, and 4 random mixed breeds that are about 6 months. Also, 1 Araucana rooster 2plus years.

All the hens are laying regularly, except the youngest, who I believe have maybe just begun. I collected a small green egg this morning.

I have never noticed any soft shells. I have feed from the local farmer store that is for egg layers. It’s called Kromat Verp 2 ( I live in Norway). I have a feeder out with crushed calcium also from the store and they free range out in an area around the coops. I sometimes give them bread/rice/pasta left overs and grapes and veggies from our green house. As well as dried corn from the same place I get the food.

The nesting boxes are pretty dark, maybe too dark? The floor is a small fake grass green square with some pine shavings on top.

Thank you

 

[aart]

It’s called Kromat Verp 2 ( I live in Norway)

Does the feed have a nutritional analysis tag/info on it, showing the percentages of protein, calcium, and other nutrients?

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[GravityWaves]

I know others have gone over most everything here, I just wanted to add that when my first pullets started laying there was some egg eating and I figured out they were scratching away most of the bedding and slightly cracking the egg when they popped it out. Then when they inspected the egg it would get pecked and eaten.
I raised the lip of the nesting boxes a few more inches and made sure the shavings stayed deep enough and I haven't had any egg eating since.

You say you have 4 that are about 6 months old. I know all my young pullets have been overly zealous with the nest making/scratching before they really get the hang of it and settle down some. I don't know how long it's been going on, but could it be a case of shavings being scratched out of the nest and not enough padding (even w/ the fake grass) to prevent a crack? It might help to just observe them around egg-laying time if possible and see what the normal laying routine is.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I know others have gone over most everything here, I just wanted to add that when my first pullets started laying there was some egg eating and I figured out they were scratching away most of the bedding and slightly cracking the egg when they popped it out. Then when they inspected the egg it would get pecked and eaten.
I raised the lip of the nesting boxes a few more inches and made sure the shavings stayed deep enough and I haven't had any egg eating since.

You say you have 4 that are about 6 months old. I know all my young pullets have been overly zealous with the nest making/scratching before they really get the hang of it and settle down some. I don't know how long it's been going on, but could it be a case of shavings being scratched out of the nest and not enough padding (even w/ the fake grass) to prevent a crack? It might help to just observe them around egg-laying time if possible and see what the normal laying routine is.

Good points!!