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HELP!!!! Missing Eggs!!!

Discussion in 'Predators and Pests' started by chickie_mama, Jul 29, 2008.

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  1. Jul 29, 2008 #1
    chickie_mama

    chickie_mama Songster

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    Jul 29, 2008
    Lula, GA
    I am just about sick!!!! [​IMG] I have a black dutch bantam hen that has been stock piling her eggs getting ready to set. I check on her nest every day. This morning she had 6 eggs. My son said this afternoon she had 7 eggs. When I came home from work I checked on her nest again. There was only 1 egg left. There were no shells or anything.... just all eggs gone except 1. This is the 3rd time this has happened. If it had happened at night I would suspect a racoon or a possum, but this was in broad daylight. Does anyone have any ideas for me?????
    Thanks, Lori
     

  4. Jul 29, 2008 #2
    Jenski

    Jenski Songster

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    How about the neighbors?

    Just a thought.
     
  6. Jul 29, 2008 #3
    chickie_mama

    chickie_mama Songster

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    Jul 29, 2008
    Lula, GA
    Quote:Can't be the neighbors. My husband and son were at home all day today. Our drive way is .2 mile long...they would have seen anyone come up the driveway. Little Wilma made her nest under the front porch where it is supposed to be "safe". The only thing I can think of is maybe a snake of some kind... but why would it only leave 1 egg in the nest every time?!?
     
  8. Jul 29, 2008 #4
    chickenfanatic

    chickenfanatic Songster

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    Jul 19, 2008
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    is she in with other birds on may have eaten them seen it before and never left a scrap also another guess and judt that a guess maybe snakes they eat eggs whole but 6 of them thats not likely
     
  10. Jul 29, 2008 #5
    knippk

    knippk Songster

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    May 15, 2008
    Grayson KY
    Snakes will eat eggs!
     
  12. Jul 29, 2008 #6
    arlee453

    arlee453 Songster

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    near Charlotte NC
    One of my friends had a black snake get inside his sportsman incubator and ate 5 of those eggs and then couldn't get out.

    That was 5 PEAFOWL eggs - so a good size snake would have no problem getting 6 bantum eggs.

    If there is no sign of egg breakage, a snake would be a good bet. It probabably ate 6 and then slithered off to digest...
     
  14. Jul 30, 2008 #7
    chickie_mama

    chickie_mama Songster

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    Jul 29, 2008
    Lula, GA
    If it is indeed a snake, what can I do to prevent this from happening again???? My husband has sprinkled sulfur around under the porch and now around where her nest is. What else can I do???
     

  17. Jul 30, 2008 #8
    Missouri chick

    Missouri chick Songster

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    May 15, 2008
    Homer, GA
    Hey chickie, I bought some snake away. any garden store will have it. Maybe that will help.

    We are neighbors, I'm in Homer......
     
  19. Jul 30, 2008 #9
    Mini Coop

    Mini Coop Songster

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    Apr 8, 2008
    Cascades of Washington
    Do you have any other hens laying fertile eggs that you could give her to set on?
     
  21. Jul 30, 2008 #10
    gumpsgirl

    gumpsgirl Crowing Premium Member

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    I would say snake, especially if this has happened before. You need to do a thorough check of the coop, because he might still be in there. My nephew was having this problem too. He would get eggs one day and then wouldn't get any for a few days. He decided that maybe they might be getting scratched around and buried under the hay in the nesting boxes, so he went out to the coop and started digging around. I guess he dug a little to deep and out popped a HUGE snake! [​IMG] The snake was as big around as his forearm is and my nephew weighs 230 lbs., if that gives you any idea as to how big this snake was!!! Needless to say that snake has been dispatched and my nephew has been getting his normal amount of eggs everyday again. Check around the coop with a pitchfork or shovel. You might find your egg thief. [​IMG]
     
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