PickleHen Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 We have an egg eater. This behaviour started a coupe of weeks ago and with a new baby we are having timing issues with getting to the eggs as soon as they are laid. We only have two hens and I am almost certain of which one is the culprit! I have read the suggestion of filling a shell with mustard, which I will try in the coming days. We are already using two fake eggs in the eglu nest and I am ensuring they have a diverse diet, including layer pellets and fresh produce. Any other suggestions? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Put curtain of landscaping fabric on the door of the nesting box, the idea is to make the nesting box dark. when they can't see they stop eating their eggs The one I use http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2m-x-25m-100g-Weed-Control-Pegs-Ground-Cover-Membrane-Landscape-Fabric-/291706379737?hash=item43eb0e1dd9:g:YyEAAOSwP~tW4vFv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Had one who would not stop and so had to cull her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Pop a bumpa bit on her for a few weeks and it will stop her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Gosh. I could not cull an egg eater. Sorry Mars I'm a townie really. I have a hen who tests her eggs, they then sometimes get eaten. I just always discard any evidence of said egg and check the nesting box many times the next few days. It's habit forming, so if you can break the habit that's a good start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PickleHen Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 Thank you for your suggestions. Will look into bump bit to help her shake the habit and the curtain suggestion too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Oh I couldn't cull either, not for egg eating anyway! I'm not that desperate for an egg, it's irritating but a culling offence? Not in this house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 I often threaten with making a good chicken soup... could never bring myself to culling them either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 I think it depends if you keep hens as pets or view them more commercially. It's a very hard habit to break and they can destroy all the eggs in the nest box, not just their own. Darkness might help, it's worth a try. Removing the eggs as soon as they're laid is easier said than done - you can get nest boxes that roll the eggs away out of sight as soon as they're laid, but they don't fit in an Eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 I culled her as it is a dreadful habit to beat and I could not stop her - I only had 2 hens and yes they are pets in my household also. I did try!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 I fully appreciate people do what they think is fight. If I kept hens purely for the eggs then I suppose I would cull but mine are primarily pets and if they lay an egg then that's an added bonus. Personally, for me it's not a culling offence but horses for courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
