| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Cari Lynn |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 06:56:05 AM
Call me a sucker or a fool..but when I went to look at several hens that a lady had an hour or so away, seeing the living conditions, how she was feeding them, the story of what is going on, I took 3 and paid a high price too! But, thank goodness the hubby understood my soft spot for our 2 legged feathered friends.
Currently, these 3 hens, a mouthy Rhode Island Red named Bonnie, a Brown laced Wyandotte named Cordelia, and a Buff Orpington hen named Piper, who are all supposedly 7 to 9 months old, are in their "suites" downstairs, or large dog kennels. Going down this morning to check on them after feeding critters, I saw one of them had laid an egg, so I went to open the cage and while doing so Bonnie was madly pecking at the egg, broke it and while I am trying to grab her and the two others, ate the egg! So I suspect an egg eater. Bonnie now has her own dog crate till I can figure out how to stop her.
The books I have say that many times young hens will eat their own eggs due to some deficiency in their diet, I suspect and hope this is it as to how they were being fed. Anyone else have any ideas? Any tried and true to get them to stop?
" Promise me you'll always remember: Your braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." By Christopher Robins to Pooh
www.goinggreyfarm.com |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 09:38:24 AM
Our hens started egg pecking and we were told they weren't getting enough calcium so give them oyster shells so we got some from fleet farm and sure enough. A few days of unlimited access to the shells they quit egg pecking. Now we always have a bowl of shells out there for them along with grit (in the winter they are inside and not free range) and we haven't had any problems since.
Another strange thing I learned is if the chickens start pecking each other we give them a cabbage and/or more protein in their diet. Cabbage to curb boredom and more protein because my parents chickens were bad peckers until my dad suggested more protein and sure enough they quit pecking. So anyhow hopefully its just a calcium/protein problem and an easy fix :)
~We can make the world a better place for our kids and future generations by what we do today!~ |
| rschaaf |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 07:56:26 AM
I tried fake eggs and it really seemed to work. Make sure they are on oyster shells. I've also heard of giving them cat food too, but that's usually for feather picking. If you are worming, check to makes sure if you need to throw the eggs away or not. Some wormers you need to throw the eggs away for like a month. Good luck!
"There is beauty, there is grace, in my peaceful country place!"
See what I'm up to at: http://www.lifeonctfarm.blogspot.com |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 01:23:38 AM
I have done lots of research & chickens will eat their eggs if they are lacking in calcium or protein...problem is once they have done it they will do it again because they now have a taste for the eggs....I have a leghorn I took from a man when it got injured & he didn't know how to care for it well she will eat her egg more times than not but since I have upped their calcium & protein she doesn't do it very often...I don't mind since there is only 2 of us in the house & I get anywhere from 8-16 eggs a day. she hasn't gotten the others eating the eggs yet so i don't worry about it but I do try to make sure they get mealy worms or dried grasshoppers from the pet store in the colder months...The wormer is a good idea for general health but did you know if you put a cap full of apple cider vinegar in their water-er daily that gets rid of worms & balances out their system.
The stone egg or wooden eggs are a good idea if its not a calcium or protein problem. Hope some of this works for you or at least gives you some new ideas...Michele #2622
The Old Batz Farm |
| Cari Lynn |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 1:23:27 PM
Natesgirl, I did that and then a couple hours later went and moved the "egg" to another side of her cage and she didn't bother it at all. So going to leave it in there and see how she does...I suspect she is a morning layer so have to be on the ball tomorrow...hope this works.
Thank you all for the ideas. Got them on a good quality feed, 15% protein, a bit of cracked corn, and then veggies and fruit. Also started them on a mild wormer too in their water for a few days but I see nothing in their poop, doesn't mean they aren't there though.
" Promise me you'll always remember: Your braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." By Christopher Robins to Pooh
www.goinggreyfarm.com |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 08:46:18 AM
I have a friend who stopped an egg eater with a stone egg you use to decorate with. She seperated the hen and put the stone egg in the nest in her pen. After peckin a few times at it, the hen gave up on eggs all together and ate her feed nicely.
You might give it a try.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 08:20:59 AM
Cari, maybe she was just nervous being in a new place. And then here comes your hand reaching in to get the egg. She might have thought you were reaching for her and went a little crazy. Just let her calm down for awhile. Put the nest closer to the door and make sure her back is turned when you go to get it. Give her some time to settle down. She's new to you and to laying eggs.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Lessie Louise |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 07:28:31 AM
I have never heard of a happy ending for an egg eatting hen. It does make sense it could be a deficiency of some sort in her diet, or maybe stress or boredom? I think you are right to seperate her though. Good luck, Carol
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting them in a fruit salad!
Farmgirl #680! |
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