Snake eating eggs & golfballs

[lullabyloo]

My parents have a flock of Orpington hens. They went from having more eggs than they knew what to do with to having 3-5 eggs a week. We decided to try putting golf balls in the nest boxes to see if any go missing. If they did we'd know there was a predator eating the eggs and not a laying problem. (The hens are 1-2 years old) 5 golf balls have gone missing over the last month. I've heard eating a golf ball will kill a snake but we have yet to find one dead. Any suggestions or opinions? Thank you in advance!

 

[iwiw60]

Sounds like a snake...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/515899/best-way-ive-found-yet-to-deal-with-snake-problems

 

[lullabyloo]

That is awesome! Thank you! I will pass the info to my parents.

 

[aart]

I saw one of those traps at an antique shop this week.

 

[lullabyloo]

My parents purchased a minnow trap from a bait & tackle shop for $14.95. My dad baited it with a couple eggs yesterday morning. I'll update if anything exciting happens.