Hens bitten and eggs missing

[CozyFanatic]

I had a hen sitting on about 7 guinea eggs and 2 peacock eggs. One morning I found feathers all around the nest, the eggs all gone and my poor hen sitting on the empty nest with scratches on her back and sides and most of her feathers gone.
I am wondering what kind of predator would attack her and not be able to outright kill her, and then take all the eggs? No egg shells and no smell of a skunk.
Next day another of my hens was attacked and bitten all over the back and sides and her feathers gone but she's also still alive.
Anyone have any idea what this could be so I can watch for it? Thanks for any input!

Anne

 

[nchls school]

I had a hen sitting on about 7 guinea eggs and 2 peacock eggs. One morning I found feathers all around the nest, the eggs all gone and my poor hen sitting on the empty nest with scratches on her back and sides and most of her feathers gone.
I am wondering what kind of predator would attack her and not be able to outright kill her, and then take all the eggs? No egg shells and no smell of a skunk.
Next day another of my hens was attacked and bitten all over the back and sides and her feathers gone but she's also still alive.
Anyone have any idea what this could be so I can watch for it? Thanks for any input!

Anne

It would have to be a small predator. My first thought is rats. Check your coop for holes in the wall and floor. Good luck.

 

[CozyFanatic]

Thanks for the good wishes....actually this hen had made her nest outside the fence and about 3 of the hens had been laying in this barrel all year, even last winter. Never had a problem before. Maybe the rats are just getting bolder, or hungrier! I'm going to have to set some humane traps with eggs, I guess!

I'll need the luck, so thanks!

Anne