If you’ve ever wondered whether chickens can eat eggs, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions I hear from new chicken keepers, and honestly? I get why it seems a bit… odd. I mean, feeding chickens their own eggs feels almost cannibalistic, right?
But here’s the truth: Yes, chickens can absolutely eat eggs—and when done properly, eggs are actually an incredibly nutritious treat for your flock. The key is understanding when it’s beneficial and when it becomes a problem.
Let me walk you through everything I’ve learned about feeding eggs to chickens, from the surprising health benefits to avoiding the dreaded egg-eating habit.
Do Chickens Naturally Eat Eggs?
In nature, chickens will occasionally eat eggs, and it’s not as weird as you might think. Wild jungle fowl—the ancestors of our backyard chickens—would consume broken eggs they stumbled upon. It’s opportunistic behavior that gives them a protein boost.
But here’s where things get interesting: there’s a massive difference between a chicken eating a cooked or intentionally fed egg versus developing a habit of breaking and eating their own fresh eggs from the nesting box.
The Good: Feeding Eggs to Chickens as Treats
Can you feed chickens eggs? Absolutely! When prepared correctly, eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense treats you can offer your flock.
The Bad: When Hens Start Breaking Their Own Eggs
Do chickens eat their own eggs? Unfortunately, yes—some hens develop this problematic behavior. Once a hen discovers that eggs are tasty, she may intentionally break eggs in the nesting box to eat them. This habit can spread through your entire flock faster than you’d believe.
Why Would You Feed Eggs to Chickens? The Health Benefits
I’ll be honest—the first time someone told me to feed scrambled eggs to my chickens, I thought they were pulling my leg. But after trying it during a particularly cold winter, I became a believer.
Protein Powerhouse for Your Flock
Eggs contain approximately 6 grams of high-quality protein per egg. For chickens, especially laying hens, this protein boost can be incredibly beneficial during:
- Molting season – When they’re regrowing feathers and need extra protein
- Winter months – When bugs and natural protein sources are scarce
- Recovery periods – After illness or stress
- Peak laying season – To support continuous egg production
Are Eggs Good for Chickens? Nutritional Breakdown
Think about it: an egg contains everything needed to create a baby chick. That means it’s packed with vitamins and minerals that benefit adult chickens too:
- Vitamin A – Supports immune function and eye health
- B Vitamins (especially B12 and riboflavin) – Essential for energy and metabolism
- Vitamin D – Crucial for calcium absorption and bone health
- Choline – Important for liver function
- Phosphorus and zinc – Support overall health
- Healthy fats – Provide energy, especially in cold weather
Calcium from Eggshells: A Double Benefit
Here’s something many chicken keepers don’t realize: can chickens eat eggshells? Yes! And they should.
Eggshells are approximately 90% calcium, making them an excellent supplement for laying hens. A laying hen needs 4-5 grams of calcium daily to produce strong eggshells. Without adequate calcium, hens will produce thin-shelled eggs or stop laying altogether.
Important note: Always cook or crush eggshells before feeding them to your flock. This prevents your hens from associating whole, intact eggs with food.
How to Safely Feed Eggs to Chickens
The golden rule? Always cook eggs before feeding them to your chickens.
Why Cook Eggs for Chickens?
Raw eggs can create problems:
- Habit formation – Raw eggs look and smell like the eggs in their nesting boxes, which can trigger egg-eating behavior
- Biotin deficiency – Raw egg whites contain avidin, which binds to biotin (a B vitamin) and prevents absorption
- Bacterial concerns – While chickens have robust immune systems, cooking eliminates any potential salmonella risk
Best Ways to Prepare Eggs for Chickens
Scrambled eggs for chickens are my go-to method. Here’s how I do it:
- Crack 3-4 eggs (including shells if you like) into a bowl
- Scramble them—no need for butter, oil, or seasonings
- Cook thoroughly in a pan
- Let cool completely
- Chop into bite-sized pieces
- Serve as a special treat
Other preparation methods:
- Hard-boiled eggs – Cook, cool, chop (shell and all)
- Baked egg scramble – Mix eggs in a baking dish and bake until firm
- Crushed eggshells – Bake shells at 350°F for 10 minutes, then crush into small pieces
How often can chickens eat eggs? Treats—including eggs—should make up no more than 10% of your flock’s diet. I typically feed eggs once or twice a week maximum.
The Problem: When Chickens Eat Their Own Raw Eggs
Now let’s talk about the flip side: egg-eating behavior in the nesting box.
Why Do Chickens Eat Their Eggs?
I’ve dealt with this frustrating problem twice in my chicken-keeping journey, and both times it started innocently enough.
Common causes of egg eating:
- Accidental discovery – A hen steps on an egg, it breaks, she tastes it, and boom—a bad habit is born
- Calcium deficiency – Hens lacking calcium may instinctively eat eggs to replenish their stores
- Protein deficiency – Insufficient protein in their diet drives them to seek it elsewhere
- Boredom – Chickens with nothing to do will find entertainment, even if it’s destructive
- Overcrowding – Too many hens in too small a space increases the chance of broken eggs
- Insufficient nesting boxes – If hens have to wait or feel stressed, eggs are more likely to break
- Thin eggshells – Weak shells crack easily, tempting hens to eat them
Do Chickens Eat Chicken Eggs from Other Breeds?
Yes, unfortunately. An egg-eating hen doesn’t discriminate. Whether it’s her own egg, another hen’s egg, or even duck eggs—if it’s in the nesting box, it’s fair game once the habit forms.
How to Tell If Your Chickens Are Eating Eggs
Signs of egg-eating behavior:
- Fewer eggs than expected from your flock
- Egg yolk or whites on beaks and faces
- Broken shells in nesting boxes
- Slimy residue where eggs should be
- Hens spending excessive time in nesting boxes
How to Stop Chickens from Eating Their Eggs
Trust me, breaking this habit requires patience and strategy. Here’s what actually works:
Prevention Strategies That Work
1. Collect eggs frequently I collect eggs at least 2-3 times daily. The less time eggs spend in the box, the less opportunity for trouble.
2. Provide adequate calcium Offer crushed oyster shells or baked, crushed eggshells free-choice. Let your hens regulate their own calcium intake.
3. Use fake eggs Place ceramic or wooden eggs in nesting boxes. After pecking at these inedible “eggs” with no reward, hens lose interest in pecking eggs altogether.
4. Ensure proper nutrition Feed a quality layer feed with 16-18% protein. During molting or winter, consider increasing protein to 20%.
5. Add more nesting boxes The general rule is one nesting box per 3-4 hens. More boxes means less competition and fewer accidentally broken eggs.
6. Darken nesting boxes Hens prefer darker spaces for laying. Adding curtains to nesting box entrances makes it harder for them to see (and be tempted by) eggs.
7. Use roll-away nest boxes These specialized boxes have sloped floors. Once laid, eggs gently roll into a collection area where hens can’t reach them.
8. Provide enrichment Bored chickens are destructive chickens. Add:
- Chicken swings
- Dust bathing areas
- Hanging treat balls
- Fresh vegetable scraps to peck at
- More roaming space if possible
What to Do with an Egg-Eating Hen
Here’s the hard truth: once a hen becomes a committed egg-eater, she’s extremely difficult to reform. I’ve had success with environmental changes, but sometimes you have to make tough decisions.
Options include:
- Isolation – Separate the culprit from the flock for 2-3 weeks
- Marked eggs – Use food coloring to identify which hen is the culprit
- Mustard-filled eggs – Blow out an egg, fill it with mustard (chickens hate the taste), and leave it as a deterrent
- Rehoming – Find her a pet home where egg production isn’t critical
- Culling – The last resort, but sometimes necessary to protect your flock’s productivity
Can Baby Chickens Eat Eggs?
Can chicks eat eggs? Yes, but with some caveats.
Baby chicks benefit from scrambled eggs as an occasional protein boost, especially during their rapid growth phase. However, chicks need a balanced starter feed as their primary diet (18-20% protein).
I offer scrambled eggs to my chicks starting around 2-3 weeks old, and they go absolutely bonkers for it. Just make sure the eggs are:
- Thoroughly cooked
- Cooled completely
- Chopped into tiny, chick-sized pieces
- Given as an occasional treat, not a staple
Feeding Eggshells to Chickens: The Complete Guide
Are eggshells good for chickens? Absolutely, but preparation is key.
How to Prepare Eggshells for Chickens
My method for preparing eggshells:
- Save your shells – Collect eggshells in a container as you cook
- Rinse them – Remove any egg residue (optional but reduces smell)
- Dry them – Leave them out overnight or bake at 350°F for 10 minutes
- Crush them – Use a mortar and pestle, rolling pin, or food processor until they’re in small pieces
- Store them – Keep in an airtight container until needed
- Offer free-choice – Place in a separate dish so hens can eat as needed
Will Feeding Eggshells Make Chickens Eat Their Eggs?
This is a myth that refuses to die. No, feeding crushed eggshells will NOT cause egg-eating behavior.
The key word is “crushed.” When eggshells are baked and crushed into small pieces, they look nothing like a whole egg. Your hens won’t make the connection between the crunchy calcium supplement and the eggs in their nesting boxes.
I’ve been feeding crushed eggshells to my flock for years with zero egg-eating problems.
What Else Can Chickens Eat for Protein and Calcium?
While eggs are fantastic, variety keeps your flock healthy and happy.
High-Protein Treats for Chickens
- Mealworms (their absolute favorite)
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Cooked fish or meat scraps
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Cooked beans (never raw!)
Calcium Sources Besides Eggshells
- Oyster shells (the gold standard)
- Crushed seashells
- Aragonite
- Limestone supplements (sold as poultry grit)
- Dark leafy greens (kale, collards)
Common Questions About Chickens and Eggs
Can Roosters Eat Eggs?
Yes! Everything I’ve mentioned applies to roosters too. They benefit from the same nutritional boost, especially during winter or molting.
Do Chickens Eat Duck Eggs? Quail Eggs?
Chickens aren’t picky. If you’re raising multiple poultry species, a chicken will happily eat any bird egg if given the opportunity—whether it’s a duck egg, quail egg, or turkey egg.
Can Chickens Eat Raw Eggs?
Technically yes, but I strongly advise against it. Raw eggs can trigger egg-eating behavior and may inhibit biotin absorption. The risks outweigh any minor convenience of skipping the cooking step.
Can You Feed Chickens Store-Bought Eggs?
Yes, you can feed cooked store-bought eggs to chickens. However, I wouldn’t feed store-bought eggshells unless you’re certain they’re from reputable sources, as commercial eggs may be washed with chemicals.
What About Expired Eggs?
Slightly past-date eggs are fine to cook and feed to chickens. Just check they’re not rotten first—if it smells off to you, don’t feed it to your flock.
My Experience: The Winter Egg Scramble Tradition
Every winter morning when temperatures drop below freezing, I make what my kids call “chicken breakfast.” I scramble up 4-5 eggs (usually cracked or odd-shaped ones I’ve been saving), mix in some crushed eggshells, and serve it warm to my girls.
You should see them. They come running—actually running—when they see me coming with that bowl. It’s become our cold-weather bonding ritual, and I genuinely believe it helps them maintain body heat and keep laying through the harsh months.
Last winter, during a particularly brutal cold snap, my egg production only dropped by about 15%. I credit this in part to the extra protein and fat from those warm egg breakfasts.
The Bottom Line: Should You Feed Eggs to Your Chickens?
Yes, with proper preparation. Cooked eggs are an excellent, nutritious treat that can benefit your flock’s health, especially during challenging times like molting, winter, or recovery from illness.
The key takeaways:
- ✅ Always cook eggs before feeding them to chickens
- ✅ Crush and bake eggshells before offering them
- ✅ Keep egg treats to 10% or less of their diet
- ✅ Collect eggs frequently to prevent egg-eating behavior
- ✅ Ensure your flock gets adequate calcium and protein in their regular feed
- ❌ Never feed raw whole eggs—it can trigger bad habits
- ❌ Don’t panic if a hen accidentally eats a broken egg once—it’s the repeated behavior that’s problematic
Feeding eggs to chickens isn’t weird or wrong—it’s actually a smart way to boost nutrition while recycling cracked, ugly, or excess eggs. Just follow these guidelines, and your flock will thrive.
Have you fed eggs to your chickens? What’s been your experience? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
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