It is common for hens to eat their eggs, whether we are talking about a pet hen or the hens that are part of the meat or egg industry. However, although we have mentioned that it is a habitual behavior, we must not ignore that it is also an alarm signal that tells us that an important aspect of the life of these animals is not being properly cared for.
In this article on our site we will explain why chickens eat their eggs, reviewing the main causes that motivate this behavior and the changes that can be made to improve the well-being, he alth or conditions of these individuals.
Is it bad for chickens to eat their eggs?
Egg eating by chickens is not abnormal behavior and, in fact, is not harmful to your he alth. However, when it happens, we must know that something is wrong We must pay attention to possible he alth, stress and behavioral problems, so it will be vital to dedicate more time to improve the living conditions that we are offering to the hens. Likewise, it is a behavior that can be generalized in other individuals, so it should never be ignored.
We can notice this behavior in the absence of eggs or the decrease in laying. It is also possible to observe egg remains in the beak or in the feathers of some of the hens. It is not so common to find waste in the nests, because when the hens eat their eggs they ingest them completely, including the shell.
In most cases hens acquire this habit accidentally, especially when an egg is accidentally broken. We must know that the consumption of eggs helps them increase their levels of calcium, fat and protein, so it is not surprising that they continue to do so if they suffer from feeding problems, even eating other eggs that are not theirs.
However, why do chickens eat their eggs? What motivates this behavior? In the next section we will review the most frequent causes:
Why do chickens eat their own eggs?
Do you want to know how to prevent chickens from eating their own eggs? Although there are systems that help to avoid this behavior in a forced way, such as the use of nesting boxes, we must know that this method does not help to directly solve the cause of the problem, likewise, it can cause higher levels of stress and anxiety, which will directly affect the quality of life of the hens and the quality of their eggs.
Therefore, the best way to prevent chickens from eating your eggs is to identify the problem that is causing this behavior and take action about himself. Here are the top 3 reasons chickens eat their eggs:
1. Diseases
There are various poultry diseases that can affect our hens, such as bronchitis or the presence of internal and external parasites, such as the red mite. For this reason, if in addition to observing that your hens ingest their own eggs you also detect abnormal symptoms, we advise you to consult a specialized veterinarian, who will help you rule out the presence of diseases and will advise you so that you can find the cause of the problem.
two. Nutritional problems and lack of water
Another reason why chickens eat their eggs is Nutritional deficiencies When their diet is not properly balanced and presence of the absence of certain essential nutrients for their proper development and/or maintenance, it is very likely that they will begin to manifest behavioral problems related to feeding, in this case with the consumption of their own eggs.
As we have mentioned before, eggs are an excellent source of fat, protein and calcium, so it is convenient to review the contributions and supplementsare properly managed. Once again we recommend seeking professional guidance from a specialized veterinarian, especially when we are in the process of reproducing chickens.
On the other hand, water consumption is as important and necessary as the contribution of a properly balanced diet. A dehydrated hen can resort to eating eggs to ingest the liquids that its body requires. While this can happen at any time of the year, it is more common in the summer. We must not forget the importance of offering fresh and renewed water to our hens.
3. Stress and anxiety
Alongside the appearance of pathologies and nutritional deficiencies, stress is the third risk factor that can explain why hens they eat their own eggs. The overcrowding, that is, the accumulation of individuals in an extremely reduced space, is one of the main problems that motivate it, common in chicken farms. They can also be poor nests On these occasions we can observe the consumption of eggs among many other abnormal behaviors.
Another reason that can explain the development of stress is poor lighting, which is really important for hens. In intensive breeding farms, development is usually stimulated through related techniques that, unfortunately, end up having a negative impact on the well-being of these individuals, leading to the appearance of high levels of stress.
As in other animals, stress triggers abnormal behaviors in hens, including inter-individual pecking (feathers are pulled each other or to oneself), the appearance of stereotypies (repetitive movements without an apparent purpose), etc. In these cases, it is essential to pay attention to enrichment, well-being, the space in which individuals reside and the ethology of the species, among others.
How to prevent chickens from eating your eggs?
Now that you know the main reasons that explain this behavior, it's time to offer you the possible solutions that you can apply:
1. Offers a quality balanced diet
Feeding is crucial to keeping your hens he althy. You must offer them a diet that contains the necessary supplies of proteins, vitamins, minerals, good fats and calcium. We must know that hens have a tendency to suffer from calcium deficiency, especially in laying hens, which directly affects their he alth and the shell of the eggs, which becomes weaker and more brittle.
Therefore, it is essential to offer hens a complete diet that is perfectly adapted to their needs and life stage. If you suspect that this is your case, consult a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and consult the option offer supplements
two. Improves the well-being of individuals
The layout and organization of the chicken coop is essential to keep your hens happy, so you must take into account the space you available when adopting some of these birds.
The nests of the cages must be placed at a certain distance from the ground, as well as having adequate, soft, abundant and comfortable padding. Ideally, offer a minimum space of 600 cm2 per bird, encourage foraging behavior with perches to perchand free access to an outdoor area with vegetation during the day. [1]
In addition, it is advisable that the lighting is poor, so it is not recommended to install light bulbs, much less keep them on all day. With this you will not only contribute to the nests being dark, but you will also prevent the temperature from increasing with the sun's rays.
Also remember that hens are very sensitive to loud noises or sudden movements, so you should set up nests and spaces away from any stimulus that could cause stress or anxiety.
3. Remove eggs frequently
One way to prevent chickens from eating their eggs is to minimize the chances of them doing so, ie removing them frequently. It is recommended to perform this routine twice a day, after 10 in the morning and at the end of the afternoon.
4. It offers adequate preventive medicine
Apart from consulting a veterinarian to rule out the presence of various pathologies and he alth problems that may be causing this behavior, offer a quality veterinary follow-upall individuals on a regular basis is essential to prevent and detect any he alth problem. Never forget the importance of having professional advice.
