Friend or foe?

[Orpington1]

Hello. First post. I tried to attach a picture of a 12-18 inch long garter snake, but not sure it came through. I'm wondering if this little guy could be the reason the Girls are losing an egg a day to something besides me. Evidence is, broken empty egg shell sometimes in nest box but more often on the floor of the coop. Ive never seen rats but sent a mouse pcking a few months ago. I thought one of the Girls had turned cannibal, but haven't caught anyone yet.

Any advice/ thoughts?

PS hammer in picture is just for scale.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Probably not. They (garter snakes) don't typically eat eggs.

 

[lilmillefleur]

Welcome Orpington1!
I don't think a snake that small would eat eggs.
I still hope you removed it from the coop!

 

[Chickassan]

It's cute! Definitely not your egg eater, unless you've got tiny chickens.

 

[cppeace]

In my experience snakes take eggs- you don't find shells. He's also pretty small. Likely just eating bugs and baby rodents.

By the way Welcome!

 

[Zoomie]

I would guess it's one of your hens eating the eggs. Get some of the fake eggs, be sure to mark them with a Sharpie or something, and leave them in the nests. My guess is whichever hen is doing this will get tired of trying to break one of those and quit doing it, and all of a sudden you'll have more eggs.

A little garter snake like that eats slugs and bugs. They do not eat eggs or chickens. I personally deliberately bring garter snakes to my property and turn them loose here. I love seeing them in the garden because I know they are helping to keep pests under control.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Tons of those here. They are garden friends. They prey on bugs and the big ones can eat baby mice.
I think you have a naughty hen.