why would laying hens eat thier own eggs?

Question

our laying hens are eating thier eggs

Answer 1

Try feeding them ground oyster shell so they have then necessary calcium and stuff to produce eggs properly. They may be trying to increase their intake of it of the shell may be so soft that they are cracking right away (which no hen can resist eating).

Answer 2

I had that problem and finally gave the chickens away and began again. If an egg breaks by accident the chickens will eat it, once they figure out that they can break the eggs they will. Sometimes they need more caluim, or they are crowded, or bored or the eggs are n ot picked up fast enough. All of these things can cause egg eatting.
This is on the web:Causes for hens eating their eggs

The causes that incite hens to eat their eggs usually result because of poor husbandry or management practices. Chickens do not naturally eat their eggs. Once the management of the flock is restored to an acceptable state, the egg eating will stop. The list of major causes and corrections are listed below. A factsheet entitled Prevention of Egg Eating discusses the subject in more detail.

* If shells of the eggs are thin and weak, provide proper diets as discussed in the nutrition section to correct the problem.
* Not enough nest space is provided. Provide at least one standard nest for each four hens.
* Keep plenty of soft nesting material in the nest so eggs will have a cushion on which to lay.
* Collect the eggs more regularly, at least 2 or 3 times daily. The longer the eggs remain in the nest, the greater chance of breakage and consumption.
* Provide plenty of clean, fresh drinking water. Hens need greater amounts of water than other birds and may consume their eggs for the liquid content.
* Cull non-laying hens from the flock. Refer to Culling Hens for assistance with this process.
* Maintain a disease-free flock that is treated regularly for internal and external parasites.

Answer 3

are you sure they are eating the egg? maybe it is a snake or a mongoose,or racoon?my husband raised laying hens for his entire childhood....and NEVER heard of hens eating their own eggs or any thing that large!!! you probably have a predater of some kind...let them roam free as you normaly do and also build an inclouser whith a secure hut to roost at night... he also said he maid a totaly inclosed pin all the way around the hut so if they left the hut it was safe from most enemys...use chicken wire for the inclouser so it keeps even small predaters out!!! good luck

Answer 4

It could be a number of things. Boredom- let them outside more and throw vegetable scraps to them to occupy their time. Leaving the eggs in too long- try collecting the eggs several times a day. Poor nutrition- are you feeding adequate protein and calcium to them? Bad habits- find the culprit, it is often one bird doing the damage, and cull it from the flock.

Answer 5

if they fear danger than they will eat them...if you have not feed them then they will eat them...also if you have cracked there eggs before in there pin them they are taught to brake them and eat them...it's sounds weird but I use to raise hens.

Answer 6

I seem to remember someone recommending adding crushed oyster shells to their diet. Also, a multi vitamin... and plenty of room.

Answer 7

only way to stop them is fried chicken, you can not break a chicken from eatting it,s own eggs.

Answer 8

I'm just guessing but I think they might be hungry.

Answer 9

they might feel threatened. Some animals kill their babies because they feel unsafe or scared.

Answer 10

are you sure they are getting the right diet, maybe they are hungry