Egg eating - HELP

[stormin97]

Hi all,
I have 6 hens and have had them for about 2 years. They have always been productive, giving 2 - 4 eggs a day. A few weeks ago this went down to 1 a day. Since Sunday I have had no eggs. Yesterday, when I checked the nest box, again there were no eggs, but on the floor of the house proper, there was the remains of a shell. The eggs from one of my girls always has a dense inner skin and it was this that the remains were attached to. Any suggestions to deal with this problem would be much appreciated.

[Paul Wagland]

I think we're having this problem too - rather too many eggs are being broken for it to be accidental!

Shall watch with interest...

[janeyo]

I think it can be a tricky one to solve, have heard various methods of filling eggs with curry and stuff the chickens won't like to prevent it. One way would be to craete a rolling nest box to stop them getting at the egg once laid. Or you could try being really vigilant and checking more often for eggs to get them before they do so to speak.

I do belong to another chicken forum which has loads of experts on, pm me if you need details.

janeyo

[Paulottie]

I am not the most experianced hen keeper but a few thoughts...

First establish if it is the rats that are causing the problems. The reduction in production could mean they are unhappy (which they maybe if a rat is about)

The broken shell thing could be rats but it is also not unknown for chooks to break/eat they're own eggs. It maybe difficult to establish the culprit but is their any power struggle you have noticed as this sort of upheaval can cause problems.

Finally they can sometimes stop laying while they moult.

[stormin97]

Having checked my girls about lunchtime, I think I have identified the culprit. As soon as the weather improves, I will put her in the sin bin (an old rabbit hutch I use for broodies) - I will keep you informed of results.

I don't have rats as far as I am aware, but I do (did?) have mice. I say did because on Monday, the chooks caught one as it ran across the chicken run and proceeded to rip it apart! Im sure if the other mices saw this they have either gone or have their bags packed!

The girls aren't currently in moult, but when they were in moult (at the end of last year) you're quite right, they were off lay for a week or so.

Thanks for the replies.

[Sally]

I'm having this same problem with my hens at the moment, it really is loosing me so many eggs!! I've took the culprits out and hey too are in a 'sin bin' (!) but I think they have tought the others how to do i aswell!!!! I've tried putting mustard in the egg shells but I think they thought I was serving up a nice meal for them - they loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A my wits end over this - HELP!

[MadamJoJo]

I had this problem at the same time every year. So I invested in a few false eggs (ceramic) from Countrywide & the naughty egg eater soon gets the hint. Also try darkening the nest/laying area. Personally, I think it's the hen's diet craving protein or another nutrient as the days get longer & they are suddenly in the throws of laying an egg a day again!! Good luck. MJJ.

[stormin97]

I can happily report that I am once again getting eggs! Like you, Madamjojo, my egg eater loved the mustard I put in a shell. Having definitely identified her, and as a result, putting her into solitary seems to have regained the status quo.

So that I can eventually re establish her into the flock, I am currently trying to design and build a roll away nest box. Any ideas how to do it will be apreciated.

Thanks for all the helpful hints and Janeyo, thanks for the link you sent me. Very useful.

[Janna]

Hi Stormin79 I'm also in an amazing chicken forum and have learnt so much from it it's untrue. It's quite likely to be the same one Janeyo suggested but if you want a link just in case it's different drop me a pm.

[sunflower]

I have five hens...ex bats and usually 4 eggs. However, for the last 2 weeks have noticed signs of remaining egg yolk on the perches. Just before this, one of my hens....do'nt which started laying soft shelled eggs. So, I think this is the egg that is being eaten, AND I know who is eating it....naughty Lucy!!! bless her. As I start to it clear away, she's up there in the henhouse trying to gobble up the bits she could'nt reach. She was the smallest of the 300 hens rescued that day, and no feathers. It could be that she is the one laying the soft shelled egg then pecking it resulting in spilled egg because she will peck at anything, including me.....though not the other hens..and certainly not malicious,.too sweet natured. She is like a toddler that feels things via the mouth. She feels things via her peck. It's difficult to stop her because, by the time this happens I'm at work. But one of these days........................