Egg laying & raccoon theif

[Terraalexandria]

Hey y’all!

My Cayuga’s first clutch is now up to 16 eggs!! Every time I think she’s going to start the incubation period she eventually gets up and leaves for hours lol I’m letting nature handle this situation and hopeful that my girls motherly instincts kick in.

I finally caught her laying an egg on camera and then hours later I also caught a raccoon thief try and eat one of her eggs! He didn’t manage to break the shell so he gave up and left. Enjoy the videos (For some reason I can’t upload the videos!)

 

[HappyClucker7]

(For some reason I can’t upload the videos!)

To upload a video you first have to post it on youtube, vimeo, or something like that, then post the link here.

 

[Terraalexandria]

Hey y’all!

My Cayuga’s first clutch is now up to 16 eggs!! Every time I think she’s going to start the incubation period she eventually gets up and leaves for hours lol I’m letting nature handle this situation and hopeful that my girls motherly instincts kick in.

I finally caught her laying an egg on camera and then hours later I also caught a raccoon thief try and eat one of her eggs! He didn’t manage to break the shell so he gave up and left. Enjoy the videos (For some reason I can’t upload the videos!)

To upload a video you first have to post it on youtube, vimeo, or something like that, then post the link here.

 

[Huntmaster]

Id think he will be back. Next time might not be so lucky. Eggs and mother seem to be in danger.

 

[Terraalexandria]

Id think he will be back. Next time might not be so lucky. Eggs and mother seem to be in danger.

Any advice on how to keep them safe from these nights stalkers?!

 

[Huntmaster]

Not sure what your pen is like? There is lots of threads on predator proofing. A few pics of pen and I may be able to help.

 

[Terraalexandria]

Also, this is the first time we’ve ever had a raccoon stop by. We are thinking of using that large un-used kennel and turning it into a new pen while using the chicken wire from their fence and house as an added deterrent.

 

[Huntmaster]

Also, this is the first time we’ve ever had a raccoon stop by. We are thinking of using that large un-used kennel and turning it into a new pen while using the chicken wire from their fence and house as an added deterrent.

Yes that sounds like a good start. If you could put your dog kennel over that wood coop. Add wire to bottom of kennel 2 feet up side and 2 feet out on ground to keep them from digging under. You can use landscape pins to tack it to the ground and grass will just grow up through fence. Hardware cloth is best for this but your wire would work just wont last that long on ground. Then something to cover top I use 2" knotted bird netting. You could probably use the wire you have to cover also.

 

[Huntmaster]

Hope this helps you and your ducks. I would just hate to see you loose any of your ducks or eggs. If you have other questions Id be glad to answer if I can. Hope your hen goes broody soon for you and you can experience a good hatch. How many ducks do you have?

 

[Terraalexandria]

Hope this helps you and your ducks. I would just hate to see you loose any of your ducks or eggs. If you have other questions Id be glad to answer if I can. Hope your hen goes broody soon for you and you can experience a good hatch. How many ducks do you have?

Thank you for the advice! We are currently securing the new area and hopefully won’t have any incidents! We have 3 girls and one boy! She’s been in limbo as far as brooding goes. She lays on her eggs for a while and then leaves for hours and then comes back but she is also continuing to lay eggs so I’m not sure what’s going on.