Chickens eating their own eggs

zebidee

Well-Known Forumite
My bird is driving me demented, she lays and eats her egg instantly, it's getting to the point where she's probably going to be culled if I can't stop her. Anyone got experience?
 

Hetairoi

Well-Known Forumite
It is usually when the shell is soft that they eat the eggs.

Check the diet to make sure it is balanced, a good layers pellet should do the trick or add a little crushed oyster shell.
 

highguyuk

Well-Known Forumite
I once watched a Chicken eat it's own egg at Drayton Manor Park. I found it very weird and slightly disgusting to watch...
 

Mr J C

Well-Known Forumite
http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Chickens-from-Eating-Their-Own-Eggs

You may already of seen this - but if not hope it gives you some ideas
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
highguyuk said:
I once watched a Chicken eat it's own egg at Drayton Manor Park. I found it very weird and slightly disgusting to watch...
Is it any worse than swallowing your own snot?..
 

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
In my experience (kept 50 chickens at a time before), it usually begins when an egg is accidentally broken. The problem is that you now have a hen with a taste for it!

My method which always worked for me was to wait until you see her do it, then INSTANTLY take her away and put her somewhere dark and seperate from the other hens. Obviously still feed her pellets and water, but give her a good 48 hours seperated AND in the dark. The spell of time without light (which I'm sure you already know is the big key to egg laying) will likely put her off laying either the next day or day after. As soon as she's gone off lay put her back in with the others. It could take her a week to get laying again after this, but it has always worked for me.

Good luck!
 

zebidee

Well-Known Forumite
Cheers all, diet is fine, the shell (remains and those two whole eggs we recently managed to nab) are solid, could probably do with a little extra calcium for strength I guess.

wmr: thanks for that tip, I haven't seen that one before and might be able to do the trick with it!
 

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
I might know of some chicks up for grabs soon, they've not hatched yet so I've not counted them (sorry couldn't resist)
 
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