Chickens are fascinating animals with a wide range of behaviors, some of which can be perplexing to their owners. One of these behaviors is the tendency of some chickens to eat their own eggs.
On average, chickens eat their own eggs for multiple reasons including but not limited to nutritional deficiencies, stress, broodiness, and accidental egg damage.
In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why chickens eat their own eggs, how to tell if they are in fact eating their own eggs, how they crack them, and most importantly, how to prevent them from doing so.
Why do chickens eat their own eggs?
There are several reasons why chickens might eat their own eggs, and these reasons can vary depending on the individual chicken and the circumstances in which it is kept.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Chickens require a balanced diet to lay healthy eggs. If their diet is lacking in certain nutrients, they may start to eat their own eggs in an attempt to make up for the deficiency. This could also lead to accidental egg damage, which will be mentioned here later.
- Stress: Chickens that are stressed, either from overcrowding or from being in an unfamiliar environment, may start to eat their own eggs as a coping mechanism.
- Broodiness: Broodiness is a natural instinct in hens to sit on and hatch eggs. However, if the hen is unable to hatch the eggs due to infertility or other factors, she may start to eat them.
- Egg damage: Sometimes, chickens get excited or startled and can accidentally break an egg. If an egg is cracked or broken, the chicken may start to peck at it out of curiosity or as a way to clean up the mess. Once the chicken discovers that the egg contains food, it may start to eat its own eggs intentionally.
How to tell if your chickens are eating their Eggs
You can tell if your chickens are eating their eggs by examining the eggs that are left and examining the nest.
Usually, the eggs near the eggs that have been eaten will be much dirtier than normal. When a chicken eats an egg it tends to get the surrounding eggs wet, which will make dirt and manure stick to the other eggs quite easily. Also, you will notice that the hay, straw, or nesting material will be a darker color underneath the eggs, which indicates that it’s gotten wet. The image above is from my chickens. You can see how the eggs are dirtier than normal and that there’s moisture underneath and around the eggs. This is a good indication that an egg or two has been eaten.
How to stop Chickens from Eating their own Eggs
If you have chickens that are eating their own eggs, it is important to take action as soon as possible. Not only is this behavior wasteful, but it can also become a habit that is difficult to break. Here are some steps you can take to prevent your chickens from eating their own eggs:
Provide a balanced diet: Ensure that your chickens are receiving a balanced diet that is high in protein and calcium. You can achieve this by feeding them a quality layer feed or by supplementing their diet with additional protein sources such as mealworms or scrambled eggs. Also, oyster shells are a fantastic way to increase their calcium intake so you don’t get accidental egg breakage. I actually wrote an entire article on the benefits of oyster shells, if you’d like to check it out!
Reduce stress: Reduce stress in your flock by providing adequate space, clean bedding, and proper ventilation. Chickens that are less stressed are less likely to eat their own eggs. On average, chickens need 4 square feet each in order to not feel cramped.
Collect eggs frequently: Collect eggs from the nest boxes as frequently as possible, ideally several times per day. This will prevent the eggs from piling up and getting cracked or broken, which can lead to egg-eating behavior.
Use roll-away nest boxes: Roll-away nest boxes are designed to prevent chickens from accessing the eggs once they are laid. When the hen lays the egg, it rolls down a slope and into a collection tray, which prevents the hen from pecking at the egg.
Add fake eggs to the nest: Adding fake eggs to the nest can help to discourage egg-eating behavior. When the chicken pecks at the fake egg, it will not crack or break, which will discourage the chicken from continuing to peck at its own eggs. As an additional advantage, the fake eggs will also reduce your snake population, they won’t eat any more eggs after eating your fake one!
Treat egg-eating behavior immediately: If you catch a chicken in the act of eating its own egg, it is important to treat the behavior immediately. You can do this by removing the chicken from the flock for a short period of time or by applying a bitter-tasting spray to the eggs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, chickens eating their own eggs is a behavior that can be frustrating for poultry farmers and backyard chicken keepers. However, by understanding the reasons why chickens might eat their own eggs and taking proactive steps to prevent the behavior, you can help ensure that your chickens lay healthy, nutritious eggs that you can enjoy. With the right diet, environment, and management techniques, you can help your chickens avoid this habit and enjoy a happy, healthy life.