Chickens are omnivorous animals. They can eat just about everything, with some exceptions. This is why it is very important for us to filter the things they eat and the reason why in this article, I provide a complete guide regarding chickens eating eggs and whether or not they should eat them.
Can chickens eat eggs? Yes, chickens can eat eggs, whether it’s boiled, scrambled or raw. If your chickens acquire a taste for it, they will eat them. But also this is a very nutritional meal for them to have as it is high in protein and many other nutrients.
I will go into more detail answering common questions regarding this topic, but I want to note that even though chickens can eat eggs, it is important for them to have a balanced diet.
In which the chickens feed, green vegetables and corn are a part of it.
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Are Eggs Good for Chickens?
Eggs are a popular food choice for many farmers and chicken owners because it’s a good source of protein and vitamins that your chickens need to thrive.
Eggs can play a significant role in the health benefits of your chickens.
When chickens eat eggs, it increases their health, promotes healthier bones, energy and muscle mass.
Here are some of the nutrients eggs have:
Protein
Potassium
Sodium
Iron
Calcium
Magnesium
Vitamin A
Vitamin B6
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
All these minerals, vitamins, proteins will help your chickens grow healthier and stronger, and ironically will help them lay better eggs.
For chickens to produce eggs, it requires large amounts of calcium, so it is very important for them to consume it.
This is why feeding them eggs, especially eggshells, is extremely beneficial to their health, but I’ll talk more about it later on.
So do feel comfortable in feeding your chickens with some eggs, especially if they like them, but remember eggs can go bad, so don’t feed them older ones.
Can Chickens Eat Scrambled Eggs?
Yes, chickens can eat scrambled eggs; this is a very healthy option for them to have.
A great option if you’re looking to treat your chickens.
Just make sure when cooking the eggs try not to use too much salt as this could put the life of your chickens in danger.
Can Baby Chickens Eat Scrambled Eggs?
Yes, baby chickens can also eat scrambled eggs as it provides them with proteins and energy to grow. In fact, many flock owners have used scrambled eggs as a protein supplement for their chickens.
But remember that not all types of eggs are suitable for baby chickens. Rotten or old eggs should not be fed to baby chickens.
For some owners, there’s nothing better than giving to their little buddies scrambled eggs. This deliciously ingested delicacy gives them all the nutrients they need to thrive well into adulthood.
Can Chickens Eat Scrambled Eggs With Milk?
Yes, chickens love to eat scrambled eggs with milk. Chickens always need extra calcium, especially if they are producing lots of eggs.
Chickens also like scrambled eggs with milk because it tastes delicious and has extra protein!
But remember always to keep a balanced diet when it comes to chickens.
Can Chickens Eat Cooked Egg Yolks?
Chickens can definitely eat egg yolk. This is a great source of antioxidants vitamins A, D, E and K.
It will also provide other minerals and nutrients, so do feel free to feed your chickens with yolks; you can also mix it up with other types of food like rice or chickens, and I’m sure your chickens will love it.
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Can Chickens Eat Eggshells?
Yes, chickens can eat eggshells.
Eggshells are good sources of calcium for your backyard chickens. You don’t have to feed them to your chickens if they are acquiring calcium from other sources.
But if you decide to use the eggshells, I recommend baking the eggshells and grinding them before feeding; you can also mix it up with other types of food.
You grind the eggshells because you don’t want your chickens to know they are eating eggshells as they can acquire a taste for it, and then they might start eating their own eggs, and we don’t want that.
Can You Feed Chickens Store Bought Egg Shells?
Yes, this is a great option to use if you don’t have sufficient chicken to produce the eggs, you will need to feed them.
You can recycle the store’s eggshells, put them in the oven to sterilize and after it is done, put them in a sealed container.
But keep in mind that if you use a proper chicken feed, you won’t need to be doing this daily.
How Often Can You Feed Eggs to Chickens?
There is no specific time for feeding eggs to chickens; a general rule to follow is to keep their main source of feed available and use the eggs as a treat.
If for some reason, your chickens are lacking calcium, then you can proceed to give them the eggs or eggshell systematically. Doing it on a daily basis for one or two weeks is fine. But do keep other options of food available for them.
Can Chickens Eat Boiled Eggs?
Yes, boiled eggs are another great option for chickens, but be careful with the salt and other seasonings as this could be dangerous for chickens.
Salt can poison them, so be careful with all salt content.
You can also mix up the boiled eggs with other types of foods such as bread crumbs, cheese, or any other type of chicken food.
How to Cook Eggs for Chickens?
The best way to cook eggs is with no salt and no oil. An omelette and boiled eggs are the most commonly cooked egg dishes, but there is a myriad of other ways to cook eggs: fried, scrambled, hard-boiled and soft-boiled.
Either one is fine; just don’t season it.
Can Chickens Eat Raw Eggs?
Although they can consume it, it is not highly recommended for two reasons.
The first is to prevent chickens from getting salmonella.
And the second is because by giving them raw eggs, we risk the chickens recognizing the smell of eggs and then wanting to start eating their own eggs.
It is best not to give them raw eggs, but if you decide to do it because you have broken eggs at home and you do not know what to do with them, it is best to mix the egg with any other food (if it has a stronger flavor than the egg better).
But, do not feed them raw eggs constantly for the reasons I mentioned above; the best way to give your hen eggs is after they’ve been cooked.
Can Chickens Eat Rotten Eggs?
No chickens should not eat rotten eggs or any other types of rotten food as it may cause some health issues.
Rotten eggs are usually very smelly and can give digestive, respiratory and even skin problems to the chicken as well as cause some other health issues such as diarrhea.
Do Chickens Eat Unfertilized Eggs?
Yes, chickens can eat unfertilized eggs, but the reason why they do it is not what you think.
Chickens don’t know if their eggs are fertilized or not, so the main reason she is eating her eggs is that she has acquired a taste for it or is seeking for calcium.
Do Chickens Eat Their Own Eggs in the Wild?
Whether you’re dealing with a domesticated chicken or a wild chicken in both cases, if the situation arises for a chicken to eat her own eggs, she will definitely do it.
But this is not a good sign.
Especially if it is happening to your domesticated chickens, this should not be ignored. So keep reading to learn how to prevent this.
How to Stop Chickens From Eating Eggs?
When chickens start eating their eggs, they have acquired a taste for it or have a need for calcium.
If your chickens have acquired a taste for it the best thing to do is collect the eggs as frequently as possible.
Keep her stress levels down, make her feel safe in her chicken coop.
Another option is to use a decoy egg; the idea is that when your chickens try to pick on the eggs, and it doesn’t break, she will stop trying. You can use a wooden egg.
If you worry your chicken might hurt themselves with the wooden eggs, you can try filling an empty egg with mustard. You can do it by picking a hole into each end of the egg and blow it out through the holes. Then proceed to fill the shell with mustard and place it in your chicken coop.
The idea with this is that when the chickens eat the mustard, they will be disgusted and will stop eating the eggs. So after a few tries, your chickens will definitely stop eating the eggs.
When chickens lack calcium, they might try to eat their eggs; the best thing to do in this case is to provide the sufficient calcium intake they need.
There are many options out there in the market that you can use, like purina oyster shells, calcium plus powder and even blend eggshells. The trick is to be consistent when feeding your chickens.
Also, if they need calcium, this could be a sign of a bad diet, make sure to assess your chickens diet and adjust.
Conclusion: Can Chickens Eat Eggs? (Scrambled, Boiled or Raw)
Yes, chickens can eat eggs whether it’s scrambled, boil or raw. If they like it, they will eat it, but also this is a very nutritional food for them as it is high in protein and vitamins. When feeding, make sure your chickens don’t know they are eating their own eggs.
If they figure out they are eating their eggs, they might start eating them themselves, and we don’t want that.
But do remember when chickens have a proper diet, there is no need for them to eat many eggs.
So only used as a treat or when necessary and mixed it up with other food scraps.