Story and photos by Lori Leigh
Although chickens can be very entertaining, they can also be complex, and dare I say…frustrating. For example, why, oh why do chickens break open eggs and eat them? Mmm hmm…complex to understand and frustrating to stop. Fresh eggs are one of the main reasons many people decide to raise chickens in the first place. When the egg count is down due to egg eaters, it makes this pesky habit even more frustrating.
The first time I saw pieces of an egg shell and yolk inside one of the nesting boxes, I thought to myself, “certainly it was an accident“. I cleaned it up and didn’t give much thought to it. But then! Yep, it happened again. After doing some research, I admit that I have implemented many of the following techniques. These options can be used to help stop your chickens from eating eggs and may help prevent the habit from resurfacing.
COLLECT THE EGGS MORE FREQUENTLY
Sounds easy enough, right? Collect the eggs frequently throughout the day so the chickens don’t get the urge or opportunity to eat them. For some chicken keepers, this just isn’t possible. Enlist the help from family or friends if you can.
GOLF BALL OR WOODEN EGG
I was already using a golf ball as a way to help induce the chickens to lay eggs. First when they started laying eggs, and later to train the hens to lay in certain nesting boxes. The thought behind a golf ball (or wooden egg) is that it looks like an egg. The theory of it helping to stop the act of egg eaters is that the chickens will peck at it, thinking it is an egg. After being unsuccessful, she will eventually give up.
KEEP THE SHELLS STRONG
Because a thin shell is more easy to break open, it’s important to strive for hard shells. Adding extra calcium to the chicken’s diet can help with this. Oyster shells are a great way to add extra calcium. You can usually find oyster shells right beside chicken food at your local feed store.
A MUSTARD FILLED EGG
I found different reviews on this method. After two instances of my chickens eating the mustard filled egg, I fell into the category of “no, it doesn’t work“. That said, I still think this is an option you should attempt yourself. Everyone’s situation is different and what doesn’t work for one may work for someone else. Read How To Blow Out An Egg to get started.
FLUFFED NESTING BOXES
Make sure that the nesting boxes have plenty of fluff (coop bedding material). When the hen lays an egg, you want it to have a fluffy area to land in, so it doesn’t easily crack open. A cracked open egg will surely tempt the hens.
BOREDOM
Give your chickens plenty to do and peck at. A bored chicken may simply look for things to peck at, including an egg. You can add hanging vegetables or suet cakes as a way of offering inexpensive entertainment to your flock.
CULL
The last option is to cull the egg eater. This means that you must know which chicken is the egg eater. Some feel this is cruel, while others view it as a necessary action, before the bad habit spreads throughout the flock. This is a personal decision that each chicken owner must make on their own.
Have you had success with breaking an egg eating chicken with one of these techniques or something else? Share with us what worked for you.
6 Comments
Chickens are for telling you when something is missing in their diet. When I get an egg eater in my backyard flock they are telling me they are missing something in their diet.
I solve the problem by smashing all the eggs I collect for 4-5 days and let all the hens feast on them. Then over a few days I cut the number of eggs back and address the diet deficiency. I’ve been doing this for 40 years and never had to cull any hens. Quite often giving them more back yard to scratch solves the problem
My experience is that it usually begins with an accident, and becomes a habit when they find eggs are tasty. The solution I use is a home-built roll-away nest box so the chickens don’t get to see the eggs after laying.
This is a great idea I’d love to know more about this design!
I have always used fake eggs and golf balls in the nests. I also use the hanging suit and I keep clean pine shavings in the nests. I have never had a hen egg her eggs. But I have two hens that are really getting picked on by the other hens!! I thought this might be from boredom? I have tried Vicks vapor rub on the back of their heads and that stopped the picking for a little while but they are back at it again!! Help?
Hi Sondra,
Pecking order among your flock is natural, and there will always be some dominance. But, there are a few things you can do to help the situation. Start by making sure the chickens have enough food and cool water. Areas for dust bathing are important, as is adequate space for your flock without being crowded.
If you think boredom is causing the problem, try hanging something for the chickens to peck at, such as cabbage, broccoli, or suet blocks.
Here are a few articles that I wrote that may also help:
https://www.communitychickens.com/a-bully-in-the-chicken-coop-and-what-we-did/
https://www.communitychickens.com/why-do-chickens-dust-bathe/
https://www.communitychickens.com/keeping-chickens-cool-in-the-heat-of-summer/
https://www.communitychickens.com/winter-fun-for-chickens/
Good Luck!
Lori
I’ve also heard that cannibalizing and egg eating can be due to a protein deficiency. This would only occur if you were trying to use as little feed as possible with a grass-fed type layer.