Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Amy Walpole]

Can anyone help me with ideas/experience of stopping chickens from eating their eggs?

Any advise much appreciated!

Amy. x

[Redwing]

Collecting the eggs as often as you can helps

 

Make sure they arent laying soft shelled eggs and have enough calcium as this can start the habit

 

Replace collected eggs with fake ceramic/china/rubber ones (called 'pot' eggs) so they dont get any reward for trying to crack them

 

Make a small hole in an egg, empty the contents and refill with curry paste/mustard etc..

[chickyhazel]

Oyster shell grit is a good source of calcium, and some people use cod liver oil, vegetable oil, or cuttlefish as well to provide this.

 

Redwing has said the main deterrances - fake eggs, and blown eggs filled with mustard or another horrible substance to chickens. However, chickens can become acquainted to certain substances so the latter only works for a period of time.

 

Also, if you are feeding chickens their own eggs (which some people do) make sure the egg is well disguised so the chicken doesn't associate it with the eggs they lay.