I posted a few weeks ago about my chickens, that I got as day-old chicks back in April-ish, not laying yet. Either they still aren't, or they are and SOMEthing is getting the eggs before I can.
Last year, my chickens were free range and laying like CRAZY, but I had to finally pen them up after losing all but one to dogs. The one I have remaining from last year was laying before I moved her and the newbies into the large pen (I had her in a small coop with an attached run, and was getting at least 4 eggs a week from her at that time). She laid a few eggs once in the larger pen, but I haven't gotten an egg in at least two or three months.
I don't yet have a permanent coop built in the pen - just a 'lean to' type of shelter where they can get in out of the weather, and that is where the nest box is, as well. They roost in or on top of it, or in the walnut tree at night. There is hay in the nest box and a couple of golf balls.
I check for eggs twice a day, both in the nest box, and around the entire pen. Nothing. I remove all food in the evenings so as not to attract/encourage night-time critters.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe a possum or coon or rat or something is getting into the pen and stealing the eggs, but none of the chickens are bothered - even the little bantams that are now residing in the smaller coop and run that is inside the larger pen.
At this point I'm just frustrated and unsure of what to do. I have two roosters; should I get something else to put in with them that would kill whatever it is?
Last year, my chickens were free range and laying like CRAZY, but I had to finally pen them up after losing all but one to dogs. The one I have remaining from last year was laying before I moved her and the newbies into the large pen (I had her in a small coop with an attached run, and was getting at least 4 eggs a week from her at that time). She laid a few eggs once in the larger pen, but I haven't gotten an egg in at least two or three months.
I don't yet have a permanent coop built in the pen - just a 'lean to' type of shelter where they can get in out of the weather, and that is where the nest box is, as well. They roost in or on top of it, or in the walnut tree at night. There is hay in the nest box and a couple of golf balls.
I check for eggs twice a day, both in the nest box, and around the entire pen. Nothing. I remove all food in the evenings so as not to attract/encourage night-time critters.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe a possum or coon or rat or something is getting into the pen and stealing the eggs, but none of the chickens are bothered - even the little bantams that are now residing in the smaller coop and run that is inside the larger pen.
At this point I'm just frustrated and unsure of what to do. I have two roosters; should I get something else to put in with them that would kill whatever it is?
