Did my eggs go bad

[Chickenheadmate]

Had a broody, another hen decided to get broody also and both were laying in the same nest for a few days without any problems. I went out of town yesterday, came back today and the nest was a mess and some eggs where not in the

 

[AidKD]

Not in the nest? How far along are they?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Is there any sign of an intruder/predator

 

[Chickenheadmate]

Not in the nest? How far along are they?

A week today.

 

[Chickenheadmate]

Is there any sign of an intruder/predator

Mmm. I wouldn’t rule it out

 

[AidKD]

A week today.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Had a broody, another hen decided to get broody also and both were laying in the same nest for a few days without any problems. I went out of town yesterday, came back today and the nest was a mess and some eggs where not in the

What do you mean, the nest was a mess? Were bits and pieces of eggs in the nest, were eggs broken, or was it just disturbed. Your post was cut short, I assume you were going to say some eggs were not in the nest. How many, where were they, and were those broken? Were any left in the nest unharmed? Were any eggs totally missing? You were gone overnight. Were they safely locked up from predators? Did either hen show signs of injury?

I've had two broody hens fight over a nest and destroy half of the eggs. This did not happen one week into incubation, it was when the eggs started to internal pip and the hens could hear the chicks getting ready to hatch. I guess it is possible they fought over the nest but I would not think that very likely in your case.

To me it sounds like an egg eating predator. Knowing what the area looked like and what shape the eggs were in might help narrow down which predator or at least the possibilities.