Stop Chickens Eating Eggs? (7 Ways to Stop Them!)

Chickens are known to be egg-laying animals, but sometimes they develop a bad habit of eating their own eggs.

This can be frustrating for farmers and backyard chicken keepers who rely on their hens for a steady supply of fresh eggs. However, How to

Stop Chickens Eating Eggs?

One of the main reasons chickens eat their own eggs is due to a lack of proper nutrition. Chickens that are not receiving enough calcium or protein in their diet may resort to eating their eggs to make up for the deficiency. Providing a balanced diet that includes high-quality feed, fresh greens, and calcium supplements can help prevent this behavior.

Another factor that can contribute to chickens eating their own eggs is boredom or stress.

Chickens that are overcrowded, confined to small spaces, or lack stimulation may turn to egg-eating as a form of entertainment.

Providing ample space, outdoor access, and toys or activities for the chickens can help alleviate boredom and prevent egg-eating behavior.

Understanding the Problem

Why Chickens Eat Their Eggs?

Chickens have a natural instinct to eat their eggs when they are not getting enough nutrition.

This can happen when they are not being fed enough or when they are not getting the right nutrients from their food.

Chickens may also eat their eggs if they are not getting enough calcium, which is important for eggshell formation.

Another reason chickens may eat their eggs is due to boredom or stress. If chickens are cooped up in a small space with nothing to do, they may start pecking at their eggs out of boredom.

Similarly, if they are stressed due to overcrowding or other factors, they may start eating their eggs as a coping mechanism.

Signs That Your Chickens Are Eating Their Eggs:

There are several signs that your chickens may be eating their eggs.

One of the most obvious signs is the presence of broken eggshells in the coop or nesting boxes.

If you notice that your chickens’ eggs are consistently broken or missing, it may be a sign that they are eating them.

Another sign of egg-eating behavior is the presence of yolk on the chickens’ beaks or feathers.

If you notice that your chickens have yolk on their faces or feathers, it’s a good indication that they have been eating their eggs.

Finally, if you notice that your chickens are spending a lot of time in the nesting boxes or are reluctant to leave them, it may be a sign that they are eating their eggs.

Chickens that are eating their eggs will often spend a lot of time in the nesting boxes, as they are trying to get to their eggs before any other chickens do.

Why are my chickens destroying their eggs?(6 Common Reasons)

There are several reasons why chickens may destroy their own eggs:

1. Lack of calcium: Calcium is essential for the formation of eggshells. If chickens are not getting enough calcium in their diet, they may lay eggs with thin or weak shells. These eggs are more likely to break, which can lead to the chickens pecking at them and eventually eating them.
2. Boredom: Chickens need stimulation and entertainment to keep them from getting bored. If they are not provided with enough activities or space to roam, they may start pecking at their own eggs out of boredom.
3. Nesting box issues: If the nesting boxes are not comfortable or secure, chickens may start to lay their eggs in odd places. Eggs laid in these places are more likely to be pecked at and destroyed.
4. Stress: Chickens can become stressed for a variety of reasons, such as overcrowding, loud noises, or predators. When chickens are stressed, they may start to exhibit destructive behaviors, such as pecking at their own eggs.
5. Lack of food or water: If chickens are not getting enough food or water, they may start to eat their own eggs out of hunger or thirst.
6. Genetics: Some chickens may have a genetic predisposition to egg-eating behavior. This can be difficult to control and may require culling the birds from the flock.

It is important to identify the root cause of egg-eating behavior in chickens and address it as soon as possible to prevent the behavior from spreading to other birds in the flock.

7 Ways To Stop Chickens Eating Eggs?

7 ways to stop chickens from eating eggs:

Method	Description
Collect eggs frequently	Collecting eggs frequently, at least twice a day, can prevent chickens from eating them. If eggs are left in the nesting box for too long, chickens may start to peck at them out of boredom or hunger.
Provide enough nesting boxes	Chickens need enough nesting boxes to lay their eggs comfortably. If there are not enough nesting boxes, chickens may start to lay their eggs in odd places, which can lead to them being eaten. Aim for one nesting box per four to five hens.
Add fake eggs to the nesting box	Placing fake eggs, such as golf balls or ceramic eggs, in the nesting box can fool chickens into thinking that the eggs are already laid and discourage them from pecking at them.
Provide a calcium supplement	Sometimes, chickens eat their own eggs because they are lacking in calcium. Providing a calcium supplement, such as crushed oyster shells or eggshells, can help prevent this.
Use rollaway nesting boxes	Rollaway nesting boxes are designed to allow eggs to roll out of the nesting box and into a separate compartment, preventing chickens from accessing them.
Cull egg-eating chickens	If a chicken has developed a habit of eating eggs, it may be necessary to cull it from the flock to prevent the behavior from spreading to other chickens.
Increase the chickens’ diet	Sometimes, chickens eat their own eggs out of hunger. Providing enough food and water can help prevent this behavior. Additionally, providing treats, such as mealworms or scratch grains, can keep chickens entertained and less likely to peck at eggs.

What gives chickens calcium?

Some common sources of calcium for chickens:

Source	Description
Oyster shells	Crushed oyster shells are a common source of calcium for chickens. They can be purchased at most feed stores and added to the chickens’ feed or provided in a separate container.
Eggshells	Crushed eggshells can be a good source of calcium for chickens. They can be collected from the chickens’ own eggs, cleaned, and crushed before being added to their feed or provided in a separate container.
LimestoneGround limestone is another source of calcium that can be added to the chickens’ feed or provided in a separate container. It is important to make sure that the limestone is food-grade and free of contaminants.
Bone meal	Bone meal is made from ground-up bones and can be a good source of calcium for chickens. It is important to make sure that the bone meal is from a reputable source and free of contaminants.
Layer feed	Many commercial layer feeds are formulated with added calcium to support eggshell formation. It is important to choose a high-quality feed that is appropriate for the chickens’ age and breed.
Vegetables	Some vegetables, such as kale, collard greens, and broccoli, are high in calcium and can be added to the chickens’ diet as a supplement.
Dairy products	Dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, can be a good source of calcium for chickens. However, it is important to avoid feeding them too much dairy, as it can upset their digestive system.

It is important to provide a balanced diet with enough calcium to support eggshell formation and prevent health problems in chickens.

Extreme Cures for Egg-Eating Hens: (Things to understand)

Egg-eating behavior in hens can be a frustrating and difficult problem to solve.

If less drastic measures have not worked, there are some extreme cures that can be tried to stop egg-eating hens.

Here are a few:

1. Remove the egg-eating hen from the flock: If one hen in the flock is consistently eating eggs, it may be necessary to remove her from the flock. This can be done by isolating her in a separate pen or by culling her from the flock. This can be a difficult decision, but it may be necessary to prevent the behavior from spreading to other hens.
2. Break the egg-eating habit: If a hen has developed a habit of eating eggs, it may be necessary to break the habit by making the experience unpleasant. One way to do this is to place a fake egg filled with mustard or hot sauce in the nesting box. When the hen pecks at the fake egg, she will get a mouthful of unpleasant-tasting substance and may be deterred from eating eggs in the future.
3. Use a rollaway nesting box: Rollaway nesting boxes are designed to allow eggs to roll out of the nesting box and into a separate compartment, preventing chickens from accessing them. This can be a good solution for hens that are consistently eating their own eggs.
4. Provide enough nesting boxes: Chickens need enough nesting boxes to lay their eggs comfortably. If there are not enough nesting boxes, chickens may start to lay their eggs in odd places, which can lead to them being eaten. Aim for one nesting box per four to five hens.
5. Increase the chickens’ diet: Sometimes, chickens eat their own eggs out of hunger. Providing enough food and water can help prevent this behavior. Additionally, providing treats, such as mealworms or scratch grains, can keep chickens entertained and less likely to peck at eggs.
6. Add a calcium supplement: Sometimes, chickens eat their own eggs because they are lacking in calcium. Providing a calcium supplement, such as crushed oyster shells or eggshells, can help prevent this.

It is important to identify the root cause of egg-eating behavior in hens and address it as soon as possible to prevent the behavior from spreading to other birds in the flock.

If less drastic measures have not worked, extreme cures may be necessary to stop egg-eating hens.

Conclusion: Stop Chickens Eating Eggs?

In conclusion, there are several ways to prevent chickens from eating their own eggs.

Providing enough nesting boxes, collecting eggs frequently, and adding fake eggs to the nesting box can help prevent chickens from pecking at their eggs.

Additionally, providing a balanced diet with enough calcium, plenty of food and water, and entertainment and stimulation can help prevent boredom and hunger-related egg-eating behavior.

If less drastic measures have not worked, extreme cures such as removing the egg-eating hen from the flock or breaking the egg-eating habit with unpleasant-tasting substances may be necessary.

Identifying the root cause of egg-eating behavior in chickens and addressing it as soon as possible is important to prevent the behavior from spreading to other birds in the flock.