We've got an egg-eater on our hands...😤

[WingItRanch]

Is it a myth that if the chicken or a rooster eats an egg then they become infertile?

Definitely a myth! One I've never heard...

It's actually a common practice to feed cooked eggs back to the chickens for nutrition.

 

[WingItRanch]

Would they realize that the golf balls are not real eggs right away? I'm afraid that it would not fool my girls. I also check the boxes every day, and every time, zero eggies

I'm not sure if it would fool them or not. To me, chickens can be smart but also dumb so who knows! Worth a shot if you have some lying around.

Are you collecting eggs once a day? If you have time, try checking every couple hours.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I'm not sure if it would fool them or not. To me, chickens can be smart but also dumb so who knows! Worth a shot if you have some lying around.

Are you collecting eggs once a day? If you have time, try checking every couple hours.

Yes, once a day. If I check every few hours, I'm not sure if that'll help people I'm worried that they are eating the eggs directly after they are laid

 

[GuineaMania]

Some people say if hens have enough calcium they wont eat their own eggs. But once they already start eating them I don't know if this applies. Also, maybe roll-away nesting boxes? Everyone here has great suggestions already, so good luck!

 

[WingItRanch]

Oh! So since cameras aren't really an option for you... @GuineaMania brought up a good point. Roll away nest boxes. I have a DIY idea that I never actually completed but maybe it will work for you?

Try getting those paint trays you can get at hardware stores. They are angled so when the hen lays the egg, it will roll down (one with the most obvious tilt). You'd have to cover it with fake turf or something to make it more comfortable and find a block so they can't get to the egg after it rolls downhill. Maybe a simple 2×4 so the egg rolls underneath and it's difficult for the chickens to get to but you can reach in. Not sure if this would work in your current coop?..

 

[Yardmom]

If nutritional needs are met, chickens are less likely to eat eggs. That doesn't just mean calcium, but protein and nutrients as well. What are your hens currently eating?
You mentioned the possibility of the hens breaking the eggs when sitting on them. What are your nests currently like? What bedding do you put in them?

 

[Acre4Me]

It’s a Hard habit to break. We e had issues now and again with egg esters. Here is what we do:

1. Fake eggs/golf balls in nests.

2. Padding of some kind in the nest. A chicken stands to lay the egg-might crack if it lands on hard surface.

3. Feed 20% protein all-flock feed with oyster shell on side. Make sure feed is in 2 locations so no one gets bullied out of eating. In deep cold we give them 24/7 access to feed so they can eat and drink as soon as they can see in the morning. They need to eat more in winter to keep warm, so this helps.

4. More nest boxes; less likely to have a favorite box and have them step on and crack eggs. This can be many things, doesn’t have to match the other nest boxes.

5. Collect often.

6. Sometimes a really bad egg eater needs to go. They don’t stop/teach others their bad habit. But, we’ve successfully nipped the habit before -especially if caught early.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Some people say if hens have enough calcium they wont eat their own eggs. But once they already start eating them I don't know if this applies. Also, maybe roll-away nesting boxes? Everyone here has great suggestions already, so good luck!

You are right, they probably do not have enough calcium, because we don't provide some for them on the side like we should be doing. we have crushed oyster shells, I think it is, or maybe crushed granite or something, but they show no interest whatsoever in it. Is there a more appetizing alternative? Also, I've always wondered if grit and crushed oyster shells are the same thing and if they do the same thing for chickens? Like do crushed oyster shells function to grind food up or is it just a source of calcium? Sorry that may sound like a stupid question

Try getting those paint trays you can get at hardware stores. They are angled so when the hen lays the egg, it will roll down (one with the most obvious tilt). You'd have to cover it with fake turf or something to make it more comfortable and find a block so they can't get to the egg after it rolls downhill. Maybe a simple 2×4 so the egg rolls underneath and it's difficult for the chickens to get to but you can reach in. Not sure if this would work in your current coop?..

I have seen the paint tray idea, and it seems very cool but I'm worried that only putting turf in it won't make the chickens feel comfy enough in the nesting boxes?
I don't think it will work in my coop because there are already nest boxes installed in there, and I don't think I can add on to them in order to make them roll-away nesting boxes if you know what I mean

If nutritional needs are met, chickens are less likely to eat eggs. That doesn't just mean calcium, but protein and nutrients as well. What are your hens currently eating?

16% Kalmbach layer feed pellets. Also they have not free-ranged in DAYS because of the snow we have gotten, but they usually free-range every day.

You mentioned the possibility of the hens breaking the eggs when sitting on them. What are your nests currently like? What bedding do you put in them?

Pine shavings, but they always end up kicking the majority of it out so it's not as cushioned anymore

1. Fake eggs/golf balls in nests.

2. Padding of some kind in the nest. A chicken stands to lay the egg-might crack if it lands on hard surface.

3. Feed 20% protein all-flock feed with oyster shell on side. Make sure feed is in 2 locations so no one gets bullied out of eating. In deep cold we give them 24/7 access to feed so they can eat and drink as soon as they can see in the morning. They need to eat more in winter to keep warm, so this helps.

4. More nest boxes; less likely to have a favorite box and have them step on and crack eggs. This can be many things, doesn’t have to match the other nest boxes.

5. Collect often.

6. Sometimes a really bad egg eater needs to go. They don’t stop/teach others their bad habit. But, we’ve successfully nipped the habit before -especially if caught early.

Thank you so much for all of the great suggestions! Once their feed runs out, I will switch over to 20%, and provide grit on the side- that's where I messed up- I did not provide grit because they don't ever eat it. Do you prefer a certain brand or type that your chickens tend to like? Their feeder is a gravity feeder, and there are 6 holes for them to eat out of.
Oh!! I have never thought about that since they stand up to lay, the eggs could crack when they fall. That totally makes sense. I will see what I have in the garage that I can use for extra nest boxes.

 

[WingItRanch]

2 separate containers! One for poultry grit to help digest food and one for oyster shells to help with calcium. 20% all flock is what I use. It gets them a good amount of protein (unlike layer feed) and the oyster shells will supplement the calcium needs.

 

[kalsea]

If you have some scrap wood and a nail gun (or a drill) you can make these roll away boxes! They're fabulous if you don't want to cull the egg eater. It stopped our egg eater in her tracks. I'll link two separate builds. I built the first one on a smaller scale.

Also- it keeps the eggs PRISTINE. I can put them directly into cartons for sale no worries about cleaning them up.