6 Reasons Why Chickens Eat Their Eggs! (and How to Stop It)

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.

Now, what to do if your hens are eating their eggs? First, identify the reasons behind this behavior. For example – stress or nutritional deficiencies. Next, try preventive measures like providing a stress-free environment and proper nutrition. You’ll also need to remove egg-eating hens from the flock if necessary.

With patience and consistent care, help hens break the habit and enjoy healthy egg production. Let’s dive in to learn more about it!

6 Reasons Why Is My Hen Eating Her Eggs!

There are several reasons why a hen may start eating her own eggs. Let’s point it out –

1. Deficiency in Diet: One common cause is a nutrient deficiency in her diet. It’s particularly a lack of protein. Eggs are an easy source of protein, so a hen may start eating them to supplement her diet.
2. Stress: Another reason is boredom or stress. Hens need environmental enrichment and opportunities to express natural behaviors like nesting, dustbathing, and foraging. When hens are confined with little to do, they may pick up abnormal behaviors like egg-eating.
3. Poor Egg Shells: Thin or weak egg shells can also trigger egg-eating. If a shell cracks easily, the hen may investigate and then continue eating the entire egg. Calcium deficiency can lead to thin shells.
4. Accidental Occurance: Sometimes egg-eating starts by accident – if an egg cracks or breaks, the hen may peck at it out of curiosity and then acquire the habit.
5. Habit from Another Flock: Chickens eating their eggs can be a learned behavior passed from one hen to others in the flock. Once one hen starts, her flockmates may observe and copy her.
6. Lack of Nest Boxes or Nesting Materials: Inadequate nesting areas or improper nesting materials are a problem! It makes them destroy their eggs and encourage egg-eating.

How to Tell Which Chicken is Eating Eggs? 4 Things to Check!

Figuring out which hen is the egg eater can be tricky. But here are some clues to help you identify it –

Observe the Nesting Boxes

Install a cam or webcam to monitor the nesting boxes. It’s during times when egg-laying usually occurs. This allows you to catch the culprit in the act.

Also, check for evidence like yolk or egg residue on the beaks or vents of the hens after they exit the nest box.

Look for Behavioral Signs

Egg-eaters may become visibly excited, vocalizing, or acting aggressively when an egg is laid or broken. They will peck curiously or insistently at eggs in the nest boxes.

Check the crops of suspected birds – you’ll be able to feel or see egg material in the crop. You’ll see that if they have recently eaten eggs.

Use a Bait Egg

Make a fake “bait” egg from a hollow egg filled with mustard powder or other safe but unpleasant substance. Place it in the nesting box and watch to see which hen pecks it and reacts badly to the flavor.

Isolate Hens Temporarily

Remove each hen one by one! Enclose her separately while checking the eggs/nests during her isolation period. Egg destruction should pause when the guilty bird is removed from the flock.

So, Is It Bad If Chickens Eat Their Own Eggs?

Yes, it is generally bad if chickens start eating their own eggs. Here are some reasons why egg-eating is considered undesirable:

• Economic Loss: If chickens consume the eggs they lay, it results in a loss of the very product (eggs) that most backyard flocks are kept for. This can significantly reduce your egg yield and productivity.
• Nutritional Imbalance: While eggs do provide some nutritional value, they do not offer a complete and balanced diet for chickens. Excessive egg consumption can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
• Spread of the Behavior: Egg-eating is a learned behavior that can spread rapidly through the flock as other chickens observe and mimic the egg-eaters. If left unchecked, it can become a flock-wide issue.
• Increased Risk of Aggression and Bullying: Chickens may start fighting over eggs, leading to aggressive behavior, bullying, and injury within the flock.
• Potential for Developing Other Vices: Once a chicken develops the habit of egg-eating, it may be more likely to pick up other undesirable behaviors, such as feather-picking or cannibalism.
• Difficult to Break the Habit: Egg-eating can be a challenging behavior to stop once it becomes established, often requiring significant effort and intervention.

What to Do If Your Hens Are Eating Their Eggs? 10 Guides!

Tired of seeing chickens are eating their eggs? Thankfully, there are ways to discourage your hens! So, here are solutions you can try out –

1. Provide a Well-Balanced Diet: Ensure your hens receive a complete layer feed with adequate calcium and protein. At least 16% protein is a must. Besides, 3% to 4% calcium is what you need! It’s important to meet their nutritional needs, reducing the temptation to seek out eggs.
2. Offer Calcium Supplements: Provide extra calcium sources like crushed oyster shells or limestone. It’s to help maintain strong eggshells that are less likely to crack and trigger egg-eating.
3. Use Proper Nesting Boxes: For every 4-5 hens, set up one nesting box that’s 12 inches by 12 inches in size. Always have at least four nesting boxes available. Put the nests at least 2 feet above the ground and keep them about 4 feet away from where the chickens sleep. 
4. Collect Eggs Frequently: Gather eggs multiple times a day, as soon as they are laid It’s to limit access and temptation.
5. Provide Environmental Enrichment: Keep hens entertained and occupied with different activities. For example – dust bathing areas, perches, and foraging opportunities. It’s to reduce boredom and prevent egg-eating due to lack of stimulation.
6. Identify and Remove Offenders: Use monitoring techniques like cameras or bait eggs to pinpoint the egg-eaters. Temporarily removing them from the flock is also a good idea!
7. Blow Out or Coat Eggs: Blow out the contents of eggs and reinsert the empty shells into nests. Also, coat eggs with a bitter substance like mustard to deter pecking.
8. Install Roller Bars: Place a rolling bar in front of nesting boxes so eggs gently roll away from nests.
9. Use Egg Aprons or Saddles: These devices cover the vents of egg-eaters. These will prevent them from accessing and consuming freshly laid eggs.
10. Retrain with Fake Eggs: Use wooden or ceramic nest eggs or gold balls. But why? It’s to retrain hens to accept and leave eggs undisturbed in nests.

Note: If you think chickens are not stopping eating their eggs, ask the vet to get advice.

You can also get help from the following video –

FAQs

Check out the following queries to get more information about hens and their egg-eating habits!

Q. Is it normal for chickens to eat their own eggs?

No, egg-eating is not normal behavior for chickens. It’s an abnormal and undesirable habit that should be addressed.

Q. Do hens reject eggs?

Yes, hens sometimes reject or abandon eggs. It’s either by not sitting on them or by kicking them out of the nest.

Q. Can debeaking prevent egg eating?

Yes, debeaking (trimming the sharp tip of the beak) can help prevent egg eating. It makes things difficult for hens to peck through the shells.

Final Word

Egg-eating in chickens can be a frustrating problem, but you can address it with the right approach. By identifying the underlying causes, whether nutritional, environmental, or behavioral, and implementing preventive measures, you can discourage this undesirable habit in your flock.

Remember, consistency and patience are key. With proper care, enrichment, and management, your hens can break the habit. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from experienced poultry keepers or professionals if the issue persists.