Egg eating is a frustrating problem for many chicken keepers. When hens start pecking at and eating their own eggs, it can quickly lead to a loss of fresh eggs and even spread to other birds in the flock. Fortunately, with some smart management and a few simple tricks, you can stop this behavior before it becomes a habit. Here’s how to prevent and break your chickens’ egg-eating habit with easy, effective strategies.
Why Do Chickens Eat Their Own Eggs?
Understanding why chickens eat eggs is the first step to stopping it. Common reasons include:
– Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of enough protein or calcium in their diet can make hens seek out eggs as a source of nutrients.
– Accidental discovery: Sometimes a broken egg in the nest tempts a curious hen to try eating it, and if she likes it, the habit starts.
– Boredom or stress: Chickens stuck in cramped or unstimulating environments may peck at eggs out of boredom.
– Learned behavior: Once one hen starts, others may copy her, turning it into a flock-wide problem.
How to Stop Your Chickens from Eating Eggs
1. Reduce Egg Breakage
Egg eating often begins when eggs crack or break in the nest. To prevent this:
– Provide plenty of nesting boxes-ideally one box for every 4-5 hens-to avoid overcrowding.
– Use soft bedding like straw or wood shavings inside the boxes to cushion eggs.
– Keep nesting boxes clean and dry.
– Place nests away from roosting areas to reduce accidental damage.
– Collect eggs frequently, several times a day if possible, to minimize the time eggs are exposed.
2. Improve Nutrition
Make sure your hens are getting a balanced diet rich in calcium and protein. This helps strengthen eggshells and reduces the temptation to eat eggs.
– Provide a calcium supplement such as crushed oyster shells free-choice.
– Offer higher-protein feed options like game-bird feed, fishmeal, or even scrambled eggs.
– Avoid feeding hens whole eggshells unless they are crushed finely to prevent association with whole eggs.
3. Use Deterrents in the Nesting Box
Tricking hens into disliking eggs can help break the habit:
– Stuff empty eggs with mustard or dish soap: Blow out raw eggs through small holes, fill them with mustard (a taste chickens dislike), and place them in the nest. When hens peck these, they learn eggs taste bad.
– Place fake eggs or golf balls in the nest. These hard objects discourage pecking because they can’t be broken open.
4. Darken the Nesting Boxes
Chickens have poor vision in the dark and are less likely to peck at eggs they can’t see well. Hanging curtains or covers around nest boxes to create a dim environment can reduce egg pecking dramatically.
5. Manage Flock Stress and Environment
– Provide enough space for your hens to roam and avoid overcrowding.
– Keep fresh water and feed available at all times.
– Avoid disturbing hens while they are nesting.
– Remove broody hens that might crowd the nest boxes and increase stress.
6. Act Quickly and Consider Culling Persistent Egg Eaters
Once a hen develops a taste for eggs, it can be very hard to break the habit. If one hen continues eating eggs despite all efforts, she may need to be removed from the flock to prevent the behavior from spreading.
Summary
Stopping chickens from eating their eggs requires a combination of good nutrition, clean and comfortable nesting conditions, frequent egg collection, and clever deterrents like stuffed eggs and darkened nests. Acting quickly at the first sign of egg eating is key to preventing a bad habit from taking hold. With patience and consistent care, you can keep your flock healthy and your egg basket full.