People Stealing Eggs <<<Possibility

[Junkmanme]

Are you sure that your hens are laying? If ALL the eggs are not there....perhaps there were NO EGGS.

???

 

[Jajika]

If the chickens are eating the eggs, you will see remnants from it--yolk, egg shells.

If you don't see this, then it could be the chickens are moving the eggs. I've see this happen.

Or they change where they lay.

However, all that being said, egg thief is a viable part of this. I've had this problem as well.

Locks are the best alternative. Good, strong locks will most likely stop the action.

I left a note as well, and then finally we got cameras and you guessed it, we caught the person coming to the
property only to find it had been locked up. Hah!!!

They moved away--out of embarrasment, I think.

Loved it.

 

[Saltcreek]

Banks have exploding dye packs in stolen money. Maybe we have found a market for someone making exploding egg dye packs?

 

[GarlicEater]

Quote:

 

[BrattishTaz]

Quote:

Just leave a few stinky old eggs in there. I bet they won't steal from you again.

 

[Carols Clucks]

We are having the same issue, 7-8 eggs a day except when mom goes to church then 2.......(less if she stays late)

1.) I am going to get a set of matching key padlocks, mom cant see to do combos, and lock every gate that accesses the lower garden area. And lock up the egg box and both ends of the chicken house.

2.) I am going to ask the neighbor across the street to keep an eye open-I figure she will mention to all the rest of the neighbors what is going on and if it is one of them, that should stop it.

If we still have trouble, I am hooking up a camera to a vcr in the house aimed at the egg box (easy to see) Then we will know

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
Maybe they are taking Sunday off, or get hungry for egg?

Mine seem to all take Thursday off, none of mine eat eggs. Then I also have some that are broody for three days and then quit (production types).

My gate and coop are locked but not the egg doors yet- I have the locks.

Because I had a chicken stolen and later returned: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=438625

Most thieves wouldn't put the bricks back- but here's what you do you get some confettit and put it between the bricks carefully on Sunday- if the confettit is disturbed you have a human.

 

[DrinkTheRainbow]

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

My initial reaction (before putting padlocks everywhere) is to either find a few rotten eggs to put in there for "collection" and/or to make a tiny hole in the end of several eggs, and inject with something like habenero juice or dye (any colour--you pick) or something else nasty or unusual tasting or looking (but not actually toxic). Then seal the hole with a drop of instant glue. Put the doctored eggs back in the coop, set up a game cam and wait to see what happens.

And after the doctored eggs are taken, I would padlock the coops.

 

[herfrds]

you have an awesome idea there Sonoran Silkies