Egg eating pest?

[Momma*chicken]

That's not rat poop which would be in the form of smallish pellets. I did an online search for scat identification the one most similar is weasel and other closely related critters (mink, marten, fisher, ermine, etc).

I didn't think it's rat poop. It looks like something bigger. Like non rodent poop. However, can't be a Mink because as I've said they would have killed half my flock already. I've got 62 chickens and 12 ducks. I am so confused. Rats WOULD make sense, but that scat does NOT look like rat poop

 

[Momma*chicken]

What about skunks? Don't they like eggs? Do they eat chickens? Our dog did get sprayed last week right next to the coop. That might explain why my cat hasn't gone for them?

 

[JubileeFarmer]

What about skunks? Don't they like eggs? Do they eat chickens? Our dog did get sprayed last week right next to the coop. That might explain why my cat hasn't gone for them?

Skunk poo is similar to weasel poo and they do dig burrows so that's a possibility. It's hard to tell size from the photos but skunk burrows would be about 3-5 inches in diameter. Weasel burrows would be smaller. Skunks will kill chickens if they get the chance but are more likely to eat eggs.

 

[mowin]

What about skunks? Don't they like eggs? Do they eat chickens? Our dog did get sprayed last week right next to the coop. That might explain why my cat hasn't gone for them?

I thought opossum or skunk, but the tunnel holes don't match up.. holes are way too small.

Now I'm thinking there may be two issues. Rats and something larger, but there would have to be a different access point for something larger, unless those holes are larger than they appear.

 

[Momma*chicken]

I thought opossum or skunk, but the tunnel holes don't match up.. holes are way too small.

Now I'm thinking there may be two issues. Rats and something larger, but there would have to be a different access point for something larger, unless those holes are larger than they appear.

The holes are about 3-4in

 

[Momma*chicken]

I thought opossum or skunk, but the tunnel holes don't match up.. holes are way too small.

Now I'm thinking there may be two issues. Rats and something larger, but there would have to be a different access point for something larger, unless those holes are larger than they appear.

Aren't skunks in the same family as ferrets? If so, I think they can squeeze through quite a small hole

 

[mowin]

The holes are about 3-4in

Aren't skunks in the same family as ferrets? If so, I think they can squeeze through quite a small hole

Could be a skunk, but I wouldn't think it would make a series of holes and tunnels. Would just keep using the original to access the coop..

 

[Momma*chicken]

Could be a skunk, but I wouldn't think it would make a series of holes and tunnels. Would just keep using the original to access the coop..

Yes that's what I thought. See why I'm so confused? Rats make perfect sense in terms of multiple holes and no harm to chickens. But then, that scat throws me totally off. I know that's not rodent poop. Rat poop is pellet like. Ugggh this is so confusing

 

[mowin]

Yes that's what I thought. See why I'm so confused? Rats make perfect sense in terms of multiple holes and no harm to chickens. But then, that scat throws me totally off. I know that's not rodent poop. Rat poop is pellet like. Ugggh this is so confusing

I agree.
You might be looking at two different issues.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

There are many "types" of Rat's. This "could be" a non typical "type." I assumed that the pics were just so enlarged/close up I was still looking at rat but yeah it's not going to be possible until you put a Cam out there and get a definitive. Or get set up in a comfy chair willing to sit for a long time, shot gun by your side.... I smelled skunk around my coop for a few weeks and it concerned me but I never saw one or it's skat