Egg thieves?

[Ed62]

For some strange reason, most of our hens are laying their eggs outside, near the coop. Yesterday I saw one egg in a newly dug hole near the coop, but I left it there to be gathered later in the day. A little later, I went out there, and the egg was completely gone - no shell fragments or anything.

Our chicken yard is plenty large enough for 7 chickens, but they are never very far from the coop. What would be stealing the eggs while the chickens are so close to them? FWIW, we do have a rooster who doesn't miss much at all. About 2 years ago we had a bull snake in the yard, and I'm wondering if that could be the thief? Egg production is way down - or is it??

Ed

 

[SteveBaz]

What about ariel critters. Hawks or other larger prey.

 

[Ed62]

That might be a possibility, but I think a snake is more probable. Thanks for the reply.

Ed

 

[ChickenScratchin]

Could also have egg-eating chickens...they can clean one up very quickly if it gets broken.

 

[Ed62]

Thanks for the post. We've actually had that happen twice before when there were 2 eggs with soft shells. Other than that, I've had no reason to suspect it happened again, but who knows?

Ed

 

[Chickens rock!mysocks]

It could also be a rat or a squirrel.

 

[Ed62]

Chickens rock!mysocks :

or a squirrel.

I learn something new every day! Didn't know a squirrel could do that. We have tons of them. Thanks.

Ed​