Missing eggs from under broody hen while enclosed at night

[Shaeley]

Chances are the eggs were bad & the hen(s) pushed them away & found a way to get them over the wall & into the main coop. If they're not there, possibly a snake got in & took them?

Yeah not possible for them to get them out without noticing.

 

[lazy gardener]

Yeah not possible for them to get them out without noticing.

Not possible for who to get them out without who noticing? Yes, rats and snakes can and will steal an egg or even a chick out from under the hen if they can access the nest box. and they are pros at accessing a food supply.

We don't have snakes that are able to eat eggs here, but further south than my area, snakes often do get into a coop and eat eggs and chicks. Rats are well known for stealing eggs and chicks and dragging them off. I had a rat that was stealing eggs last summer. Squirrels will do the same. Crows will eat eggs, but I don't know that they can carry them. You have lots of critters where you live that will steal eggs.

 

[RWise]

I have had eggs and chicks taken from under the hen, this was a snake! The hen got real upset and started squawking loudly and I caught the snake and killed it. I now keep golf balls in all nests for these snakes, they will eat them and cannot pass them. The tummy ache that dont go away!