Egg-eating is one of the most frustrating habits a poultry keeper can encounter. You eagerly check the nesting boxes expecting fresh eggs, only to find broken shells and yolk remnants, sometimes with a guilty-looking hen nearby. If not addressed quickly, this habit can spread to the rest of the flock and cause serious losses.
Why Chickens Start Eating Their Eggs
1. Nutritional Deficiency
Poor feeding is the number one trigger for egg-eating. When hens lack enough protein, calcium, or other essential nutrients, they may turn to eggs as a quick source of what their diet is missing. Birds need sufficient protein to maintain egg production and calcium to keep shells strong. Without these, eggs may be thin-shelled, break easily, and tempt the hens to consume them.
2. Boredom and Stress
Chickens that are underfed, overcrowded, or kept in stressful environments may peck at eggs out of frustration or curiosity. Cold weather, sudden changes in feed, or a noisy and disruptive laying area can all increase stress levels, making the habit more likely to develop.
3. Broken Eggs in the Nest
Sometimes egg-eating starts accidentally. An egg might break because of weak shells, rough handling by the hen, or an unstable nesting area. Once hens taste raw egg, they may develop a liking for it and actively seek out more.
4. Poor Laying Environment
Laying boxes that are too bright, noisy, or poorly positioned can stress hens and increase pecking behavior. Without enough comfortable nest boxes, hens may crowd together, increasing the risk of broken eggs and egg-eating.
How to Stop Chickens from Eating Eggs
1. Improve Nutrition
Feed your layers a balanced layers mash or pellets that meet their protein and calcium needs. Supplement with crushed oyster shells, limestone grit, or even crushed and baked eggshells to recycle calcium back into their diet. Fresh vegetables such as leafy greens and protein-rich treats like mealworms can help prevent nutrient-related cravings.
2. Ensure Constant Feed and Clean Water
Hungry or thirsty hens are more likely to eat eggs. Make sure feed and fresh water are always available. During cold weather, birds often eat more to maintain body heat; so adjust feeding quantities accordingly.
3. Create a Better Laying Environment
Provide enough nest boxes, ideally one for every 4–5 hens. Keep nests in quiet, dimly lit areas, and ensure the bedding is soft and clean. Remove eggs promptly after they are laid to reduce temptation.
4. Reduce Stress and Boredom
Give your flock enough space to move around, scratch, and peck naturally. Hanging vegetables, scattering scratch grains, or allowing supervised free-range time can reduce boredom-driven behaviors.
5. Address Health Issues
Worm infestations, vitamin deficiencies, and some diseases can affect appetite and behavior. Regular deworming, vaccination, and multivitamin supplements can keep your hens healthy and less likely to develop destructive habits.
6. Break the Habit Quickly
If you catch a hen eating eggs, separate her temporarily from the rest of the flock while you address the cause. You can also use roll-away nesting boxes, which allow eggs to roll out of the hen’s reach immediately after being laid.
Wrapping Up
Egg-eating is not an unsolvable problem. With proper feeding, a stress-free environment, and quick removal of temptation, most hens can be kept from developing or continuing the habit. The key is to act early; once egg-eating becomes a learned behavior, it’s much harder to stop. Healthy, well-fed hens in a clean, comfortable laying space are far less likely to eat the very product you’re raising them for.