Alis girls Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I ask because mine are eating their eggs. My last Omlet hen Jez (RIP) was a for doing this and I've had no probs for months and then this week 4 eggs have been lost to eating. I leave for work early and often dont get to them.I suspect a hefty hen trod on an egg and wahaay free grub. I have upped the calcium and purchased 3 white pot eggs to trick them but they lay brown eggs and still munch away. I laced one shell with mustard but no joy. Having had an egg famine for so long and now they are eating them. Heeelp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I thought they only saw in muted tones a bit like dusk for us but u also think the only colour they actually do see is red! Hence the bottom of most feeders are red. Also that is why it is such a problem when they peck each other and bleed. As for the egg eating, mine will eat a softie given the chance but have not worked out how to crack them yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I have the occasional trodden/squashed egg. I throw it out of the nesting box with all the surrounding nesting material ASAP. My dog then eats it. I have a large bright green watering can, the hens love it. They also like my brightly coloured garden clogs, which are mainly yellow. Not sure if they can see colour as we do, but I got a white dummy egg when they were off lay. They threw it out of the nesting area and into the run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 they like a lot of birds are pre programed to peck at anything red which is why they'll keep pecking at a bleeding wound it's also why a lot of berries are red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I think they probably can see in colour as mine always peck the yellow spots on my wellies. I'm sure they think it's sweetcorn Sorry I can't be more help with the egg eating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I've just been reading that hens have superior colour eyesight to us. They can see ultraviolet and because they can see better than us in the dark they have more cones (not sure what they are) but apparently it makes their sight sense more special. (will I ever get bored of finding out about these animals ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 This is also why cockerels have colorful plumage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 I might try painting the eggs red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I thought they only saw in muted tones a bit like dusk for us but u also think the only colour they actually do see is red! Hence the bottom of most feeders are red. Also that is why it is such a problem when they peck each other and bleed. As for the egg eating, mine will eat a softie given the chance but have not worked out how to crack them yet! You're right - anything red or sparkly is all they can see with any clarity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 Mental note - red sparkley red eggs made of pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Avoid open toed shoes while wearing red sparkly nail varnish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Sparkly jewellery is attractive to them too; I always suggest that people take off their rings, etc when I teach them folks how to hold their hens.... it saves a pecking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Yes they can! Had sparkly pink nail varnish on this am at feeding time and took me a few mins to figure out why my fingers were being pecked dishing out the bowls. Knew re the tootsie polish in summer but seems any nail polish resembles grubs to them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
