Egg stealer

[Whiber02]

I need help, I only have six chickens, and somthing has been stealing my eggs, for the past one or two weeks I havent been getting a single egg, and theres little droppings the size of rat poop, I set up a small trap outside my chicken coop, and so far havent gotten anything, I havent let my chickens out for a few weeks because I'm scared there going to get eaten or something,
any sugestions????

I seriously cant think of anything,
Ps. I live In Indiana U.S.A, if that helps?

 

[amillecay]

Either a rat is stealing them or maybe it's a snake? I would need a photo of the poo to tell ya!

I had a snake eating eggs for a a while it was horrible!

 

[Whiber02]

Thanks, I'll put that on my to do list, Check back later and you might have a picture.

 

[amillecay]

Okay I will!

 

[Whiber02]

Its kinda hard to see the poo, also, when I checked on them today I saw a cracked egg shell!

 

[Whiber02]

Oh, and about the golf balls in the first picture, when my Hens started to lay, I put golf balls in the laying bed,it kinda encorages them to lay eggs there!

 

[Whiber02]

we did have snakes INSIDE the coop a few years ago, none since then really.

 

[amillecay]

Hmm you're right it does look quite a bit like rat poo from what I can see, I found this on BYC https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-predators-pests-how-to-protect-treat-your-flock It says that rats do eat eggs but you can take a look at a few of the other animals.

 

[amillecay]

Ah well sometimes you don't see the snakes right away, so it could be one I suppose, I would keep a very close eye on it!!

 

[Whiber02]

Thank you SOOOOOO much!!
That really Helps!