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Caged hens never get to see their own eggs as they roll away once laid so sitting on them is a novelty and sometimes the weight of the hen can break a fragile shell. Usually egg eating starts with a hen laying a thin-shelled egg which then breaks or cracks when it is laid.
- Why do hens eat their eggs?
Often egg eating starts when a hen lays a thin or...
- Why do hens eat their eggs?
- Why Do Chickens Eat Their Own Eggs?
- How to Stop Chickens from Eating Their Own Eggs
- Why Egg-Eating Is A Problem
1. Nutrient Deficiency
Calcium or protein deficiency is one of the most common reasons for egg eating. Even if you free-feed your chickens so that they can access food at any time, there is a chance that your chickens might not be getting enough vital nutrients. They may turn to egg eating as a result. Calcium and protein aren’t the only nutrients your birds may be lacking. They might also be deficient in magnesium, phosphorus, or vitamin D. Supplement as needed and know that egg-eating might be more common in the...
2. Broken Eggs
More often than not, egg-eating begins for no reason other than sheer curiosity. An egg gets stepped on, and a curious hen decides to take a nibble. It’s as simple as that. And once she gets a taste for eggs, she’ll go after them forever. You can prevent egg eating by reducing the likelihood of broken eggs. Collect eggs frequently (this might mean several times a day) and make sure you have enough space in the coop and run. You also need plenty of nest boxes so the hens aren’t fighting for sp...
3. Too Much Light
Hens prefer to lay eggs in dark, secluded areas. They don’t like a bright light shining on them. If you use a light in your coop or even if your nest boxes are located in direct sunlight, it might be worth your time to hang a curtain over the nest boxes. Not only will this give your hens the privacy they need to lie in peace (without excessive shuffling and moving that can lead to egg breakage) but the other hens won’t be able to see eggs that have already been laid. This will reduce the temp...
1. Add More Space
Here’s a simple solution to solve most egg-eating problems – add more space. Egg eating often results from broken eggs, so making sure eggs are rarely broken can help halt the behavior in its tracks. Make sure you have at least 1 nest box for every 4 hens. These should be positioned off the ground and a decent distance away from your roosts. Give your chickens more space to roam in the run, too. Egg eating can result from boredom, so giving the girls some space to explore can help ease their...
2. Ensure Adequate Feed and Water
Make sure your chickens’ nutrition and hydration are in check. Switch to a higher protein feed, which can make up for some nutritional deficiencies. Protein deficiency is a common issue that leads to egg eating – your chickens aren’t getting something that they need. If you use a homemade feed, that’s a great way to cut down on expenses and artificial ingredients. However, you need to keep in mind that many homemade rations do not have enough protein, so you will need to supplement it. You ca...
3. Supply Some Toys
Chickens often eat their own eggs out of simple boredom. Adding some toys to the coop, whether it’s a few crickets or even a tetherball toymade out of a head of cabbage, can help alleviate this boredom. Adding toys is a great fix during the cold winter months when outdoor free-rangingmight not be possible or practical.
At the end of the day, egg-eating isn’t a minor concern, nor is it cute. And it’s definitely not a laughing matter! If you have hens eating eggs, it’s going to seriously cut down on your egg production. What’s worse is that if one begins doing this, it’s not going to be long before the others follow suit. You may find that your egg-laying halts ent...
May 20, 2024 · If you’ve noticed your hens eating their own eggs, don’t panic! This common behavior can be frustrating, but it’s essential to address it ASAP. Hens eat their eggs due to their natural instincts, nutritional deficiencies, or stress.
Mar 29, 2023 · Often egg eating starts when a hen lays a thin or soft-shelled egg which breaks or cracks in the nest box. Being naturally curious, your hens will investigate what’s inside and then discover the contents, and so begins an egg-eating habit.
Nov 9, 2021 · Hens eating their own eggs is a form of cannibalism and it needs to be stopped. It can be time consuming to try and break a determined hen of this habit, but it can be done. We all know how good fresh eggs taste, so we really can’t blame them!
Jan 20, 2022 · If your chickens are eating eggs, they are often looking for nutrients: protein, calcium, fat. Provide supplemental food that meets those needs and the birds will be less likely to eat their own eggs. Meal worms for protein, oyster shells for calcium, suet for fat.
People also ask
Do caged hens eat their own eggs?
How do hens eat eggs?
Do chickens eat eggs?
Do hens eat broken eggs?
What can hens eat if they don't eat eggs?
Why do hens eat shells?
May 22, 2014 · They wouldn't eat their own eggs would they? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Sometimes hens eat their eggs as a result of lack of protein, or it could just be caused by curious hens taking a peck or two at their eggs, then getting the taste for raw egg.
