Our birds have just started to lay and we have one that sometimes pecks a hole in the egg prior to leaving the nest. Can anyone tell me how to stop this befor it turns into a real problem? She hasn't broken one yet or eaten any. It's just enough to ruin the egg.
We also have one that seems to like laying them on the floor instead of the nest. Can we stop that?
Can you help us with this one Anny?
Thanks.B&D

Bill and Dale, you can try getting a fake egg and placing it in the nest. The egg pecker will stop pecking eggs after pecking on that and the other hen will see where to lay her eggs. For some reason they want to lay where the other eggs are. I've also heard of people using golf balls for this. Otherwise, you can try putting your nest box in a dark area or covering it somehow. This is supposed to deter the egg pecking also. Good luck. Mina

Mina is right. The nest boxes should be dark and have some fake eggs in them.

I agree with Anny. Making the nests in a secluded, dark area will lower the risk of a hen pecking at her eggs. If the nest is crowded (too many hens using the same one), you might want to add another nest or two, just to make sure everyone's "happy".
Another method that's supposed to work is by punching a very small hole in an egg and emptying it of its contents. Rinse it out then refill it with something spicy...such as Tobasco, chili-pepper sause, mustard, etc. When the hen tries to eat it, she'll be in for a surprise. Hopefully she'll think that all eggs taste like that and quickly stop eating her own eggs (and the eggs of the other hens).
The egg-eating problem might also mean that your hens are not getting the nutrients that they need. The reason their eating their own eggs is that they might be trying to gain extra nutrients from the vitamin-rich yolk and white of an egg. Make sure all your hens are getting the nutrients they need! Its very important.
You might also want to check out www.geocities.com/farmlinks. They have a chicken section that's really helpful...