Help! Eggs Missing

[Nhorn]

Hi! I need advice or light shed on this mystery! I have a Broody Hen she was sitting on 9 eggs, yesterday was day 14 of her sitting. This morning I went to feed the birds and she was outside in the run (not odd she comes out as you all know to poop, eat etc.) So I went to check the brooder box and 7 eggs are missing!! Not one single sign of them, no broken shell, no baby chick bits, no blood, no slime .... absolutely nothing!! I searched the entire Coop and I am completely lost as to what could have happened. About 2 days ago the 9 eggs were there, now only 2! She eventually came back in from the Run and sat on the 2 eggs.

Does anyone know what could have happened?? My mind is racing and I'm so upset! What could have happened?

 

[WIchickMama]

Where are you located?

My first thought would be snake.

I did recently have a broody sitting on 8 eggs and then there were 7-no sign of the egg anywhere. When I inspected the nest I noticed yolk on my hens wing-I believe that she ate it, shell and all. Maybe it was bad, maybe not but that is what happened to me.

 

[Nhorn]

I'm in Archer Florida and I think you're correct. It must have been a Snake! Now that I sat and logically thought it through.... I had a 6ft Rat Snake in the Coop which I removed yesterday (Sunday) and never thought it would have eaten the eggs from under the sitting Hen. Especially since we also have Guinea Fowl in the same Coop but now my mind has calmed down, that has to be the only reasonable explanation.

Thank you so much for your reply!! I was so shocked and upset at first, I didn't even think of the Snake. Poor Mama Hen! Well hopefully the two she has left will both hatch with no issues!

 

[Ridgerunner]

The only critters I know of in Florida that take eggs without leaving any clue are snakes, canines, and humans. Everything else I can think of should leave bits of egg shells, wet goo, something.

My experiences with a snake eating eggs out from under a broody hen is that a 5' rat snake ate 4 eggs with her still on the nest, left for a couple of days to digest them, then came back for more. I think your rat snake is a prime candidate and is highly likely to return.

Coyotes and foxes would probably be more interested in your chickens but a dog has been know to eat eggs but not bother chickens. Does a dog have access? A human doesn't always mean a thief, some sick people play practical jokes. I only mention these for completeness, I think it was the snake.

 

[Nhorn]

The only critters I know of in Florida that take eggs without leaving any clue are snakes, canines, and humans. Everything else I can think of should leave bits of egg shells, wet goo, something.

My experiences with a snake eating eggs out from under a broody hen is that a 5' rat snake ate 4 eggs with her still on the nest, left for a couple of days to digest them, then came back for more. I think your rat snake is a prime candidate and is highly likely to return.

Coyotes and foxes would probably be more interested in your chickens but a dog has been know to eat eggs but not bother chickens. Does a dog have access? A human doesn't always mean a thief, some sick people play practical jokes. I only mention these for completeness, I think it was the snake.

Thank you! From what you said and the other replies, also from what I've just researched it has to be the Snake. Hopefully he won't return, I drove him about 4 miles from home and left him in a huge forested area. Now I have my husband on Coop inspection to see where the heck it got in. The entire Coop is covered in Hardware cloth and has a concrete floor. So it has to be somewhere in the run and although the wire is buried 2 feet under, there must be a hole. And it slithered into the Coop sometime during the day. Because both the door to the Coop and to the run are locked every night.

Luckily, we've had our flock for over a year and don't have an issue with Foxes, Racoon, Opossum or Coyotes. Our German Sheppard is a dream with the chicken and she lies to nap and they hop on and off of her like a diving board so I definitely don't think it's Sadie. And the only time the Coop/Run doesn't have eyes on it is at night and we have double padlocks on the Coop door just in case. So after calming down from shock I agree that it has to be the Snake!

I completely understand the circle of life but geeze man, why 7 eggs! I feel so sorry for Mama Bird what a shocking experience that must have been!! And I know better .... but I counted my chicks before they hatched and I was looking forward to all those babies

Thank you to everyone who replied!!! Y'all are the best!!!!