Egg eating

Hi

I am a new poster but have had my three hybrid girls for nine months since inheriting them from a kind neighbour. I think they are about two years old now. they have been laying continuously throughout the winter.
However yesterday a strange thing happened when I was closing them up for the night. My littlest hen (bottom of the pecking order) did not want to roost like the others, wandered back into the run, laid an egg and immediately turned around, pecked it and began to eat it. This has never happened before, they always lay in their nest boxes, usually early in the morning.
Any advice?

Hello Riverside Girl and welcome to  the wacky world of henaholics!    We are a friendly forum and you'll find loads of useful advice.  I would agree with Carolbriar and suggest using the search.

As I understand it hens will try pecking at their eggs and if the shells are weak or soft they will eat them to prevent encouraging predators.  They don't usually eat eggs that have a hard shell.

 I'm sure you'll have some of the more expereinced members chipping in with advice.  in the meantime Good Luck.