How to label eggs that a broody hen is sitting on?

[Ridgerunner]

I see no evidence of egg shells anywhere from the 8 missing eggs.

That sounds like a snake is eating the eggs, they don't leave any evidence. I had a five feet long black snake eat four eggs out from under a broody hen then disappear for three days while it digested them, then came back for more.

The other hens have dropped in egg production because they have been stressed at having to find a new place to lay their eggs.

This could also suggest a snake is eating some of the eggs.

 

[SueT]

That sounds like a snake is eating the eggs, they don't leave any evidence. I had a five feet long black snake eat four eggs out from under a broody hen then disappear for three days while it digested them, then came back for more.

I just went out to close up the coop for the night and there was a black rat snake halfway in the doorway looking twd the mama hen who has one chick under her. I picked it up by its tail and put it in a bucket. I'd say this one was over 3' long. I may regret not killing it, I drove it a couple miles away. The chick is 3 weeks old and hopefully will get too big before that or another snake returns.....

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I dealt with a black rat snake a couple weeks ago and now have another one. I'll be ordering a minnow trap to catch it. I won't relocate it, though. We disposed of the first one using ether on a rag. It was very peaceful, it never moved but just went straight to sleep. Then I, er, took steps to make sure it never would.

 

[Leilukka]

That sounds like a snake is eating the eggs, they don't leave any evidence. I had a five feet long black snake eat four eggs out from under a broody hen then disappear for three days while it digested them, then came back for more.


This could also suggest a snake is eating some of the eggs.

That sounds plausible. I have not caught any snake yet. I'll keep aware.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I dealt with a black rat snake a couple weeks ago and now have another one. I'll be ordering a minnow trap to catch it. I won't relocate it, though. We disposed of the first one using ether on a rag. It was very peaceful, it never moved but just went straight to sleep. Then I, er, took steps to make sure it never would.

I got the second snake too. Now I am getting 12 - 14 eggs a day, like I should.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

That sounds plausible. I have not caught any snake yet. I'll keep aware.

Gather your eggs several times a day so there is less chance of Mr Hiss getting them. I don't know what your coop is like, but I found my first snake coiled up in the rafters, in a corner of the ceiling, so look up, down and all around. I got the second as it was slithering along the wall behind some things I had underneath the nest boxes.

 

[Leilukka]

Gather your eggs several times a day so there is less chance of Mr Hiss getting them. I don't know what your coop is like, but I found my first snake coiled up in the rafters, in a corner of the ceiling, so look up, down and all around. I got the second as it was slithering along the wall behind some things I had underneath the nest boxes.

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out.

 

[Leilukka]

I got the second snake too. Now I am getting 12 - 14 eggs a day, like I should.

Sounds like a plan for me to really check on the coop to see if there is a snake.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Did you get your original question answered?

 

[Leilukka]

Did you get your original question answered?

Yes, thank you for checking in. I ended up using a pencil and drew a line around each end. That seemed to stay and not get wiped off.