LunaKiw1 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Ginger has always been a really good layer but lately she's missed some days. We've noticed a lot of sticky yellow yolk under the straw in the nest box - but no sign whatsoever of any egg shell. She's not laying softies (we have had one or two of those so I know what those look like). Her poo has been a bit runnier of late (despite regular Bokashi) and she's not seemed so keen on her treats at bed time as in the past. Having trawled through lots of posts on here going back for the last year or so I'm now wondering if she could she possibly be eating her eggs? Can they do this very quickly as we often see her go in the next box and then check soon after only to find nothing there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 It sounds like she is an egg eater yes, classic signs sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 One of mine who has just started laying laid 2 softies yesterday and they were eaten up in seconds by her and another. The soft shell was left behind though. Do chickens eat the eggshell too? I've noticed some yolky poos today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlehenny Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Mine have been known to eat their eggs but I'm pretty sure only when they lay a softee. I have caught Lily eating the last bits of an egg but there was no sign of shell and I've never seen any sign of them trying to eat a 'normal' egg. I suspect yours IS laying the occasional softee and doing what seems natural to her - enjoying a naughty treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted June 17, 2010 Author Share Posted June 17, 2010 Well we did have a bit of success and have got two perfectly shelled large eggs out of her uneaten in the last two days. We've placed two golf balls and a ceramic egg in the nest at night (Pepper her companion is fascinated by this performance!). She always lays first thing so OH has been going out at 6 am and poking her under the nest. That stirs her up so she goes out to have some layers pellets. Then she goes back into the nest. OH goes out every quarter of an hour and pokes underneath her until eventually he can whip out any egg she's laid ASAP and before she can eat it. However this morning in the 20 min gap when he went to have his shower she laid and completely ate (ie shell and all) her egg leaving only the yolky evidence in the straw to betray her. This is clearly not going to be a quick training process! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Have you tried a chillli powder filled egg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted June 18, 2010 Author Share Posted June 18, 2010 Well we'll give it a go! Tis morning OH sat out by the run in his dressing gown for 50 mins to try and catch her. She wouldn't lay and got very cross when Pepper nippped in and pushed her off the nest as she was desperate to lay. She made an awful noise. So she hasn't laid this mmorning yet (but no sign of yolk so she hasn't eaten anything yet either!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffin Posted June 18, 2010 Share Posted June 18, 2010 or you can use mustard in an egg as well - I guess the yellow colour might help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
