Muscovy Eggs Disappearing

[HomesteadHeart]

Hello all -

I have a small flock of four Muscovy hens and one drake. I've had the hens since April (they're about 2.5 years old) and the drake since June (he's about 3). We've had active mating all summer but they had access to some wooded area in their free range area that I think they were hiding eggs. So I've got them ranging in a different space now and have some nest boxes they really like made out of plastic totes. I've finally gotten some consistent laying the last week and even some down pulled in the nest. But over and over again, the eggs will start to build up (the max I've counted in the nest so far is six) and when I check the box the next day, eggs will be missing. Yesterday evening when I closed everybody in for the night there were six. This morning when I went out to feed, there were three. This has happened several times now. Who is stealing the eggs and what are they doing with them? They do share the coop with six golden comet laying hens if that makes any difference to the scenario. And there are no signs at all of a predator, snake, etc. and no chance my dog is getting them either. Stumped!

 

[NoahSully]

Is there any wetness in the box? The ducks or the chickens could be eating the eggs but usually you can tell because the box will be wet from the yolk. Could a raccoon be getting in the area because they can grab the eggs and get away. Squirrels can also grab the eggs and its nearly impossible to keep squirels out of the area.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was having same problem with a hen who was sitting first time-on 6 eggs they disappeared no trace and yep if an egg eater there is usually proof if a chicken then her dds chipped in and gave her 5 more eggs and all but one of those disappeared I finally moved the hen to a closed coop I found the one getting the eggs he/ she ate a total of 10 eggs a black snake 5’ long one was up on the roost looking for the nest of dinner. We figured it had to be a snake since the eggs just vanished thankfully my hens dds laid some more to share with her.This snake was bold enough to go right in through the pop door.in broad day light.