My chickens have started eating their own eggs
It almost always starts by accident — one egg breaks, somebody tastes it, and it becomes a habit that spreads through the flock. Which means the fix is making eggs hard to break and quick to disappear.
What actually works
An egg that isn't there can't be eaten. During an outbreak, several times a day.
One box per 4–5 hens, generous soft bedding so eggs don't crack on landing, and sited dim — hens prefer dark nests and eggs get noticed less.
The egg rolls out of reach the moment it's laid. This is the near-complete fix and it can be built from a sloped tray and a flap.
Thin shells break easily and start the habit. Oyster shell free-choice, separate from the feed.
The classic deterrent. Some people swear by it; it's harmless to try and it won't fix a nest-box or collection problem underneath.
Usually premature. Identify whether it's one persistent bird or a flock habit first — the fixes above resolve most of it.
Also searched as
egg eating hens · chickens break eggs · broken eggs in nest · stop egg eating · hens pecking eggs