Disappearing eggs here too. *Update found culprit, how to get rid of.

[dadsdeercamp]

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[redheadmama13]

I discovered the same thief last week. Several members posted their thoughts, and I learned a few things. Here is the link to that discussion: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=464375
Good luck with the crow!

 

[gryeyes]

You would be surprised how crows and jays carry the eggs! They peck a hole in the shell, then use that as a sort of reverse handle, holding the egg by the edge of the hole with their beaks as they hop/flap in short flights away with it.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

The only way to prevent this is having a covered pen with the coop inside. You could shoot the crow, but you would eventually have another critter come along and do the same thing.

 

[GarlicEater]

Ahh, corvids (the jay and crow family) the land owner here put an egg down for just a moment and when he want back to pick it up, "something" had pecked a hole in it. I said it was probably a jay.

 

[kuntrygirl]

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I had the same problem last year. A noticed that I had a reduction in eggs and didn't know why. I drove up from work one day and I caught the crow in the nesting box (outside nesting box) trying to pick up the egg. My turkeys (5 juvenile turkeys) were already on the case. They jumped on the fence, cornered and attacked the crow. The crow came back a couple of more days and continued to get a good beating from my turkeys. After that, the crow gave up and has never returned. I wish that I could tell you to to get rid of it.

 

[DDRanch]

The best way would of course be to close up the pen so the crow(s) can't get in at all. You probably have more than one.

Having said that, crows ( and ravens) are extremely smart and they actually pass along information to the the rest of the flock so if you eliminate a particular crow, you will have others who have "heard" about the free meal. I know that sound unbelievable, but its true.

I love having our crows and ravens around (although they are not stealing eggs) as when they are nesting in the area, they make the best babysitters for the hens as they will chase off any and all hawks.

good luck.