Eating eggs but not hens

[Josey Wales]

what predators eat chicken eggs but don't bother the hens? Found 2 eggs busted open and insides eaten. Pen and coop have been there 2 yrs with no problems. No signs of digging or entry. Weasel ? Squirrel? Nothing larger than that could gain access.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Rats? And of course your chickens will eat them too. Usually the chickens will eat the shell too but not always.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Snakes and crows could the culprits. Are you finding shells or no eggs in general?

Edit: nevermind. Just saw you said you found the eggs busted. I would think rats, crows or your own chickens. Try supplementing oyster shell and see if it stops. If you have a game camera you might be able to catch the culprit in action

 

[MROO]

Snakes eat the whole thing, shell and all. Crows and Jays will eat eggs, as will Starlings.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I forgot about jays and starlings. It might help to know your location so we know your local pests.

 

[Josey Wales]

South Mississippi. 2 eggs were still in the coop. The two that were eaten were still in the pen but outside the coop.

 

[MROO]

So, it's something big enough to roll or carry eggs away, but not big enough (or brave enough, yet) to attack a grown hen. A weasel or opossum, maybe? Do you close your girls up in the coop at night or does it all remain pen? If it's open all night, then pretty much anything could get in and out over the fence.
The trap is a good idea. A camera would be another. Maybe a friend has a wildlife cam (the kind some hunters use at salt licks & such) you can borrow for a bit.
Oh - and nice coop! I love he barn roof style coops, but I'm afraid to try building one for fear of leaks. I'm not the best carpenter!

 

[Maeschak]

A weasel would violently murder your whole flock leaving your coop looking like a Freddy Kruger movie. Thankfully, its not weasels!
My hens crack open eggs and eat the insides but not the shell. It is quite maddening.
Good luck, I hope you find the culprit~

 

[Josey Wales]

Well I was hoping it wasn't the hens because 1) in the two years I've had them they have NEVER done that and 2) I figured they would eat the whole shell or at least most of it. The ones eaten were basically just busted open at one end with about the top third gone and the insides eaten. They both looked alike in the way they were done. The camera is a good idea. We'll see what shakes out tomorrow. The thing is they have been laying very poorly over the last month with the only change in their world being the scorching heat. 110 heat index during the day. They are under a tree canopy and get fresh water daily. I have oyster shells and will throw some out. Thanks for the input and any input in the future.


1 RIR
2 Buffs
2 EE
3 Silver Laced Wyandotte

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What are you feeding them? 2 years is generally when you will start seeing deficiencies start. Generally a protein deficiency from feeding a layer ration and than extras.

Another option is one has a snaggy toenail that's breaking eggs, so check those out.