Need to get my hens on 'Candid Camera'.

[FlyWheel]

Literally. At least one has started breaking and eating eggs. The rest I presume then take advantage as they notice the culprit's feasting. I've tried the fake egg trick, collecting multiple times, and have even built roll-away nesting boxes, however currently only one of my hens are using them, and she's not the egg eater. I know this from which eggs I have been lucky enough to get to before they're gobbled. What I need to know is which hen (or hens) are the guilty party(ies).

Now I have read that some people here have used video monitors in their coops, usually to spot predators, and I am now asking them for help with finding my uncouth hen(s). What I need to know is, is there a video camera/monitor system that:

1. Has an angle of view that is at least close to 90 degrees so I can see most if not all of the coop.
2. A range (camera to monitor) of at least 100 yards (91 meters), as it must be able to transmit from the coop to the house.
3. Preferably with wireless transmission. I do have AC power available at the coop, so battery power in not a necessity.

Thanks for y'alls help.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-channel-wireless-surveillance-system-with-2-cameras-62368.html

I can't find the viewing angle on it though... I am thinking of getting one myself next time I get a coupon.

 

[Bluechick2u]

I used a mustard filled egg to find my culprit. Worked GREAT! ID made immediately.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I had some eating eggs recently but it turns out the eggs were breaking when they were being laid and then they were eating them. I switched to hay in the nestboxes, which doesn't get kicked or thinned out as easily as shavings or chopped straw, and haven't lost an egg since.

 

[BYChickenAl]

Literally. At least one has started breaking and eating eggs. The rest I presume then take advantage as they notice the culprit's feasting. I've tried the fake egg trick, collecting multiple times, and have even built roll-away nesting boxes, however currently only one of my hens are using them, and she's not the egg eater. I know this from which eggs I have been lucky enough to get to before they're gobbled. What I need to know is which hen (or hens) are the guilty party(ies).

Now I have read that some people here have used video monitors in their coops, usually to spot predators, and I am now asking them for help with finding my uncouth hen(s). What I need to know is, is there a video camera/monitor system that:

1. Has an angle of view that is at least close to 90 degrees so I can see most if not all of the coop.
2. A range (camera to monitor) of at least 100 yards (91 meters), as it must be able to transmit from the coop to the house.
3. Preferably with wireless transmission. I do have AC power available at the coop, so battery power in not a necessity.

Thanks for y'alls help.

I have the 5-camera Arlo system. I bought it for security on my home but have used it to watch the chickens and to watch for predators. I bought it from Amazon but you can also find them at Best Buy. 5-camera system has "free" online hosting. All the cameras are wireless and they have really good range.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I have the 5-camera Arlo system. I bought it for security on my home but have used it to watch the chickens and to watch for predators. I bought it from Amazon but you can also find them at Best Buy. 5-camera system has "free" online hosting. All the cameras are wireless and they have really good range.

Maybe I'm missing it but what is the range and wifi requirements? Can you use it even if you don't have a modem? I have to use a wifi hotspot.

ETA I found it: 300 ft line of sight and you do need a router so it's out for me, and not far enough range for FlyWheel. Dang.

 

[Bluechick2u]

This video mentions a camera that he uses to show live feed of his ducklings, which his fams monitor for him 24hrs. It looks like what you're asking about.

 

[FlyWheel]

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-channel-wireless-surveillance-system-with-2-cameras-62368.html

I can't find the viewing angle on it though... I am thinking of getting one myself next time I get a coupon.

It comes with two cameras so coverage of the coop floor shouldn't be a problem, what I cannot find the signal range, and that's more important. Although with a 24 hour record time if it can record onsite (i.e. inside the camera) that may not be an issue.

I had some eating eggs recently but it turns out the eggs were breaking when they were being laid and then they were eating them. I switched to hay in the nest boxes, which doesn't get kicked or thinned out as easily as shavings or chopped straw, and haven't lost an egg since.

While I'm thinking that a breaking egg may have triggered it (I did drop one once when collecting and they all mobbed it, and the egg eating started not long after that), but I know their shells will not break just from being layed; some are so thick they are actually difficult to crack. My chickens have this tendency to kick and scratch the hay out of their nesting boxes, so often they were laying on bare wood. I have caught my chickens in the actual act of laying and when they stand I have seen their eggs fall from their vent onto the bare plywood (a four inch drop) with no problem whatsoever.

@Bluechick2u: The problem with that system is it looks to require a phone connection, and I had to disconnect the coop after I caught the hens running an illegal phone sex operation.

 

[Bluechick2u]

Gotta love that mind movie... hens with a phone sex ring...

 

[SunHwaKwon]

It comes with two cameras so coverage of the coop floor shouldn't be a problem, what I cannot find the signal range, and that's more important. Although with a 24 hour record time if it can record onsite (i.e. inside the camera) that may not be an issue.

While I'm thinking that a breaking egg may have triggered it (I did drop one once when collecting and they all mobbed it, and the egg eating started not long after that), but I know their shells will not break just from being layed; some are so thick they are actually difficult to crack. My chickens have this tendency to kick and scratch the hay out of their nesting boxes, so often they were laying on bare wood. I have caught my chickens in the actual act of laying and when they stand I have seen their eggs fall from their vent onto the bare plywood (a four inch drop) with no problem whatsoever.

@Bluechick2u: The problem with that system is it looks to require a phone connection, and I had to disconnect the coop after I caught the hens running an illegal phone sex operation.

Signal range outdoors is 450 ft.

Mine scratch it out too, which is why I switched to hay and using dishpans inside the nestbox area.