Eggs missing and finding shells away from nesting area.

[Snapper3951]

Ok, our eggs are going missing, we was thinking that it was the change of seasons and weather. Today I found some egg shells away from the nesting area. What is the cause, according the article it could be racoons, possums or rats. The shells are twenty to thirty feet away. Some time ago I placed some ceramic eggs in the nest to help promote egg laying and hoping any slithering pest would take the ceramic egg, in the hope the problem would died. Any suggesstions?

 

[itsasmallfarm]

could be skunk my friend had two who raided his coop

 

[itspebbl]

I'm thinking possum or rat. Probably a rat, because possums kill chickens. I could be wrong though, especially if it was a young possum. Skunks are also a possibility. I would still guess
rat first, unless you smell skunk.

 

[beakerchicks]

I have had lots of eggs missing. I've seen the hens carrying and eating their own eggs and skunks... they seem to only kill my chickens. Rats have also stolen alot of eggs. I don't have a raccon or possom problem.

 

[Percheron chick]

Magpies.

 

[Snapper3951]

magpies or chickens how would they carry them?

 

[Snapper3951]

I had a possum but a .22 put him down.