Moving Eggs

[beachchickie]

I have 3 nest boxes and 9 laying hens. Yesterday I could have sworn there were 4 eggs in the middle box. When I went to collect there was only 1 in the middle nest. Can they or would they be able to move eggs around like that. I should mention there is a lip at the edge of the boxes about 1/2-3/4 of an inch high. THe boxes are side by side. Hubby says I am crazy there is no way I just looked wrong but I swear there were 4 the first time I looked. I have been vigilant about looking b/c I have been waiting for my last RIR to lay. She layed yesterday.

 

[BankerJohn]

neighbors?

 

[beachchickie]

I should clarify. There were 5 in the last box, 1 in the middle, and 3 on the other end box when I p/u the eggs. Earlier in the day there were 4 in the middle and 1 one on each end. Sorry I did not make that clear. All eggs were present just not in the order I thought I saw them in.

 

[quinkerton]

Rats, snake, opposum? Did you find the eggs or were they gone? I don't believe that chickens can move them out of the box.

 

[BrewedInNh]

Egg stealing predators? Coons, opossums, rats? Stealing eggs would be an easy meal for them.

 

[beachchickie]

I must have been mistaken. I am going to try to look today but it is church soon so I may miss the action. I have seen hens move eggs around but not out of the nest. I just wondered if anyone had seen this b/f. So I won't think I am nuts.