The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: waterbuffalofarmer on May 11, 2017, 07:04:28 am
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One of my older warrens suddenly decided to start eating the newly laid eggs in the coop, this started about a week ago. At first I thought it could have been a deficiency in something, so I made sure they had access to oyster shell grit, I think it is, I also have been giving them fresh vegetables, like the middle of butternut squash, they love it, they also get carrots, grated, with grated garlic (which they also love). We then put a rubber egg in their coop, she went beserk for it when she saw it, but after a while just kicked it out of the coop. I have been removing the eggs more frequently than I was, as things are a bit easier now since lambing has finished. My question now is this... By me removing the eggs more frequently will this get rid of the problem or will she permanently be an egg eater? I have had a problem similar to this ages ago, but it just turned out to be a bit of a faze. However because she is an older hen will this behaviour stick?
Cheers
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Pop some lemons in the nest box or fill eggs with mustard or similar.
Make sure nest boxes are dark.
Collect eggs as often as possible.
No reason that she won't stop just because she is an older girl.
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Cull.
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Had egg eater some years ago, sorted it by filling emptied egg shell with mustard and chili powder. :yuck: Only took a few days.
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Blow a few eggs fill with mustard/horse radish they wont do it again or roll away nest box, seen them on ebay :thumbsup:
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thanks guys, will certainly try as you suggest. Not really wanting to cull her TBH, she was a present from my brother and she is coming up for 7-8, ex battery hen, and she is still laying well and is a good broody. :)