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

[maxsylviaroberts]

Our 3 hens had been fairly productive, then, after a rat problem (dealt with, & no signs for some time) we have had very few eggs - 1 every 2-3 days if we are lucky - but we have found the remains of eggs under the tray, and occasionally outside in the pen. We've also noticed one of the 3 (the dominant one) having a peck at eggs given the chance (ie if we put one on the ground when replacing the hatch)

We think it's a combination of low production & eating the eggs.

They also prefer to scratch around in the chippings on the pen floor, to eating the (various types of) layers pellets we give them.

Any ideas please?

[Henchanted]

May I ask whether they have access to plenty of mixed grit. Without sufficient amounts of this they cannot digest anything hard like pellets or corn (or even dried mealworms I shouldn't think).

 

I'm not sure I have enough experience with this to know how to stop them doing this other than dealing with it quickly to break the habit but of course, but it seems logical to deal with why she/they are doing, and it sounds like they might be doing it out of hunger/laziness, cos its easier than getting protein from the pellets if its deliberate or even accidental (due to weak shells).

 

If I was dealing with this I would

A) check the grit situation, its not just to aid digestion but of course if the broken eggs have soft or fragile shells it may be lack of calcium

B) worm them if they have not been done in the last month and are free ranging, as the parasites will steal their nutrients

C) if they are not eating pellets try making wet mash out of the pellets and add some poultry spice (appetite enhancer and vitamin supplement) to give them a boost of energy even for a few days, might help them to like taste of the pellets

D) avoid treats to allow them to get used to eating the pellets

E) feed them one type or make or miv what you have together rather than alternating or switching brands suddenly

F) be very alert to egglaying, patrol regularly so you remove eggs as soon as they have been layed and so you know whether they are laying in the nest or outside where you are finding the shells

G) be on the look out for other predators even other birds like magpies can be a menace

 

I'm sure someone with more experience will tell us how to break the bad habit of egg eating, but hope this helps in the mean time, good luck

Edited May 12, 2011 by Guest

[maxsylviaroberts]

Thanks for that very speedy reply!

We do bake/crush/give back the egg shells, but we'll certainly have a try at the things you say as well.

[Egluntyne]

You don't say what sort of housing you have.

 

I had an egg eater, but the use of a couple of Chick Boxes with roll away inserts in the walk in run has solved the problem completely.

 

You could fill a couple of egg shells with strong mustard to teach the perp a lesson, gather the eggs regularly throughout the day, and make sure that they always have access to plenty of cold water , especially in hot weather, as a lack of this is considered to be one cause of egg eating.

[Sandychick]

I had a problem with mine eating the eggs - it all started with one of them laying a few soft shelled eggs, then they got a taste for it. I was told to keep the nest box as dark as possible, and restrict the entrance to it - so that it is possible for them to get in to lay, but a bit too much hassle to just stroll in!

 

I don't know if this is seen as good advice or not, but it solved the problem with mine. I chocked the eglu door on either side with a brick, leaving the opening just big enough to fit the biggest chicken through.Left it like that for about a month and the habit seems to be broken for now. It just means that they can get in and out if they really need to (bed time, morning, egg laying) but they can't be bothered to squeeze through otherwise. Keeps the eggs in the dark too which helps.

[Christian]

Good advice above.

 

You could also try hanging strips of dark fabric to make the nesting area as dark as possible.

 

Try adding rubber/china eggs to the nest box. After a few pecks, they give up as can't break the egg.

 

Also, make sure they have plenty of fresh clean water to drink.

 

Good luck!

[Lavenders_Blue]

Filling blown out egg shells with mustard worked here