When it comes to eating eggs in the coop, it may quickly become a major issue.
It’s a behaviour that needs to be halted swiftly before other pheasants join in, which can be tough to stop.
As a pheasant keeper, this is one of the last things you want to deal with.
We’ll look at why pheasants eat their eggs and what we can do about it in this article.
Why do pheasants eat their eggs?
So, why do they eat their eggs in the first place? There are a variety of factors that can contribute to or stimulate egg consumption.
Overcrowding: If the birds are unable to free-range, 4 square feet per bird in the coop and run is recommended.
If you have the ability to free-range, the space allotment is less significant because you have the outside to explore.
The number of nest boxes is insufficient: If there aren’t enough boxes, everyone will use the same ones, and eggs could be harmed by treading, rolling, etc.
Unbroken eggs will be eaten by chickens.
Lack of water: When pheasants are thirsty, they have been known to crack eggs.
Ensure that there is always clean, freshwater available.
Hunger: There isn’t enough food for the pheasants. One way to prevent this is to adopt a “no-fee policy”.
During the laying season, good quality 16-18% protein diet should be enough, unless the bird is moulting, in which case a higher protein concentration is required.
Unbalanced diet: If the pheasant’s food is out of balance, she will attempt to correct it.
If there isn’t enough protein in the diet, eating eggs is one way to get some.
Related: Here is an article I wrote on pecking among baby pheasants
Boredom: Bored pheasants get into trouble!
If they are allowed to roam freely, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Tetherball, scratching and other activities are necessary if they are confined.
Excessive light: Pheasants prefer to lay their eggs in a dark, private spot.
Darken your room with drape or dimmer lighting.
The pheasants will not peck at the egg if they cannot see it.
Stress: In times of stress, pheasants are more likely to select and pluck more—eggs, feathers, etc.
Don’t rummage around under her seeking for eggs to avoid stressing her out while she’s in the nest to prevent stressing her out. Let her rest peacefully.
Inexperienced pheasants: Young pheasants are known for laying eggs with thin shells.
If they break when hit by a sledgehammer, the pheasant will eat them.
Curiosity: For no apparent reason, they will play with or peck at their eggs from time to time.
Perhaps it’s because they’re bored, but sometimes they’ll break into their egg when they spot a crack, speck, or something on it.
Your pheasant will be interested in an egg that was unintentionally shattered and will investigate it.
Is it bad if pheasants eat their eggs?
Pheasants eating their eggs is a form of cannibalism and it needs to be stopped
Are pheasant eggs healthy?
Pheasant eggs are high in nutrients and delicious on their own or in a variety of recipes.
Pheasant eggs, like other edible eggs, are high in protein, necessary amino acids, and a variety of vitamins, including vitamins B and D.
Multiple benefits are provided by these nutrients to your brain, nervous system, bones, skin, and muscles.
Muscles are built and repaired with this protein. Sleep, mood, and hunger are all aided by amino acids.
Vitamins B and D help you stay energized, enhance your immune system, and keep your bones healthy.
Pheasant eggs have a unique flavour that compliments the nutritional value of other eggs.
How do I stop pheasants from eating their eggs?
Increase protein level: Their layer feed should have a protein ratio of at least 16 per cent.
Milk, yoghurt, and/or sunflower seeds can be used to enhance their diet.
Maintain robust eggshells: It’s critical to ensure that your pheasants are getting enough calcium to produce sturdy shells.
A thin shell is both a shattered shell and an egg that has been eaten. The simplest way to achieve this is to use oyster shells as a supplement.
If an egg does break, clean it up as soon as possible!
Put a wooden egg or a golf ball in the nesting box: The pheasant will peck at it, hoping to break it open and receive a tasty snack, only to discover that it is unbreakable. They’re going to give up eventually.
Fill an empty egg with English mustard: Mustard is disliked by the majority of pheasants. Make an egg by blowing it out.
Fill it with mustard and carefully lay it in the nesting box.
When your egg eater tries to eat it, she will be disappointed and turned off.
Collect eggs frequently: Collect eggs at least twice a day, if possible.
Provide a cushioned nesting box: No, you don’t need to sew a cushion in the traditional sense.
Just make sure there’s enough natural material in the box for the egg to fall softly and not fracture when the bird lays it.
Keep nesting boxes dim/dark: Sewing and installing nesting box curtains are an excellent way to achieve this.
Only feed your chickens cooked/scrambled eggs: Many individuals feed eggs to their chickens as a supplement to their diet.
Pheasants that consume eggs are perfectly well. Just keep in mind that you should never feed them uncooked eggs.
They should always be cooked to prevent your daughters from developing a craving for raw eggs.
Build/buy slanted nesting boxes: You can make or buy slanted nesting boxes so that the hen’s egg rolls away and out of sight when she lays it.
Make sure they have a lot to do and gnaw on: Whenever a pheasant is bored or crowded, it will eat anything, including its eggs.
You may easily make your pheasant toys at home, which will keep them busy and pecking at the “right” thing.
Why are pheasants eating their eggs a problem?
Cannibalism is when pheasants consume their eggs, and it must be stopped.
Conclusion
Indulging in their eggs is an act of cannibalism, which must be prohibited.
It can take a long time to break a stubborn hen of this behaviour, but it is possible.
Considering how delicious fresh eggs are, we can’t blame them!
This article contains many suggestions that are easy to put into practice right away with minimal hassle and disturbance.
With this conduct, you need to be extremely careful. When they don’t have any eggs they think it’s cute!
As soon as you have two or three chickens doing this, it becomes much more difficult to fix.
