Hen breaking other hen's egg, or is it a predator?

[BetteDavis]

I have a Plymouth BR and two Marans; the PBR is top of the pecking order.

Two days ago, I found one of her eggs in the middle of the coop and this morning found her egg smashed in the nesting box. What's going on here?

Thanks.

 

[boskelli1571]

Welcome!

Often times hens like to lay in the same spot as the others (who knows why?) and eggs get broken as they are kicked around. Make sure you remove the broken egg quickly, otherwise the hens will discover how good they are and become egg eaters

once you have an egg eater it's hard to stop them......try checking the coop more frequently - 3-4 x day to avoid broken eggs. I don't think you have a predator, they usually clean up the contents before they leave.
Keep us posted on the progress,

 

[BetteDavis]

Thanks! I plan to check more often. And I just found two Marans eggs in a flower pot!