Egg predator maybe?

[aesch]

I had a BO go broody on the 5th this month and put 8 eggs under her. I numbered and dated each one. She has successfully raised two sets of chicks, so I am confident of her mothering skills. Yesterday three of the eggs were broken but uneaten. Three were missing. The other two were intact underneath her. I found one egg about 3 feet from the nest, which is inside the coop and one more outside. The coop is 48" off the ground and there is a narrow ramp with steps the girls use to exit. They are pastured on half an acre. I cleaned them up and tucked them back under her. Today, I found one in the garden, 20 feet from the coop. It was one I had cleaned yesterday. What, or who could do this? Thanks in advance for your help. I live in Michigan so I know it wasn't a snake.

 

[aart]

Hmmmm... that stinks!
I assume this happened during the day and coop is locked up at night?
Could have been some rodent type...rat, squirrel, chipmunk, etc.
Pics of coop and pasture, please?
Got a game cam?

 

[aesch]

Hmmmm... that stinks!
I assume this happened during the day and coop is locked up at night?
Could have been some rodent type...rat, squirrel, chipmunk, etc.
Pics of coop and pasture, please?
Got a game cam?

No game cam, and my camera is not working. But it could definitely be a squirrel as they have populated the area lately. I never considered that. Anyway, I moved to the garage where she is much happier and pretty well protected. I will have to see about the pics. Thank you.

Hmmmm... that stinks!
I assume this happened during the day and coop is locked up at night?
Could have been some rodent type...rat, squirrel, chipmunk, etc.
Pics of coop and pasture, please?
Got a game cam?