30 hens and only 11 eggs a day

[Kelley Homestead]

Is it possible that snakes are getting into our two coops throughout the day, despite triple layers fencing 2 feet up and 1 foot out? We allow all of our chickens and guineas to free range during the day. However, with around 30 egg laying hens, we're only getting about 11 eggs a day between the two coops. We've killed 4 snakes over the past year, one with egg yolk oozing out of its mouth. And, we've found two of our fake eggs laying outside of the coops, quite a distance away, guessing that they were regurgitated by unhappy snakes. But how many eggs and how quickly could snakes be getting? Also, we've yet to find any guinea eggs even though we know two of the adults are females. We have about 2 acres of fenced yard and have checked under every bush and building. Any ideas?

 

[Folly's place]

Keep your birds in predator proof coops and runs for at least a week, and see what's happening. Any opening big enough for snakes to enter is big enough for many other critters, not good.
How old are your birds? Are any molting? Horrible hot weather, or other stress? Any stress will change egg production for the worse too. Hidden nests out there? If the birds are all locked in, they should be laying inside, not under some bush out there.
Can you set up game cameras to see who might be visiting?
Mary

 

[cmom]

I agree with Mary and I would also put up a game camera. Cold be snake or rats. Good luck...