Something in coop...what?

[IggiMom]

I feel really angry with myself. Our coop is pretty well predator proof, but we went to a movie and I forgot that we would be home after dark. I can't believe that with as much trouble as we have had with coons I would do that.

Anyway, as soon as we drove up I knew something was wrong, because a little bantie rooster was wandering around in the dark near the coop, and I could see a Homing pigeon on the roof of the coop. So I went running in, expecting to see feathers everywhere and bodies and body parts, but---no. What WAS everywhere was broken eggs and shells.

Now, the chickens were obviously upset so SOMETHING bothered them, but I did not see any bodies or parts.

And I did a count and I don't THINK any are missing, either.

So I don't think it was a coon. They kill and tear apart everything. And foxes, in my experience, tend to leave unhappy evidence also.

What do you think would get in and break and eat all those eggs?

I was wondering, possum, maybe? Do they kill everything, or would they just eat eggs like that?

Thanks, I appreciate any thoughts.

Catherine

 

[Brindlebtch]

Maybe whatever it was just decided eggs were and easier meal than flapping chickens! I'm so glad you didn't lose any of your birds!

 

[nnbreeder]

Skunk would be my guess. And no unless it had recently sprayed there would not be an odor left behind.

 

[geepster]

I would almost be sure of a possum. They are dumb and usually just scare a hen off a nest and go for the easy meal.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

My first thoughts were either a possum or a skunk. Wow, you are so lucky that your kids are okay. My husband thinks i'm overly anxious about leaving and knowing we won't be home until after dark. Hard to get chickens into a coop when it's still light out. But it only takes one moment to lose everything.

Oh, you may want to set a trap. Now that this critter has gotten a good meal, it will be back.

 

[IggiMom]

Quote:
Believe me, the trap will be set tonight! But thanks for reminding me. I need to get some smelly meat out of the freezer to bait it with.

Grrrr....

And even though they did not seem to get any hens, it upsets them so badly when this sort of thing happens.

Oh--and--I really like your farm name.

Catherine

 

[Love my Critters!]

I had looked up info on skunks on a wildlife site and saw that a skunk will break an egg at the end and the shell will be broken inward to the inside of the egg. It said a coon will break and egg at the end and the shell pieces will be pulled away from the egg (I guess because they use their hands). They said that a weasel will just crush the egg or steal it (I can't remember). This may help you in deciding what bait to put in that trap your gonna set. Hope you catch what ever it is tonight!

 

[IggiMom]

Well, shoot, I don't remember how the shells were broken. But if it happens again I will look.

Thanks.

Catherine

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Quote:
Thanks, Catherine! Any update on your egg-eating critter?

 

[IggiMom]

Oh, shoot, John set the trap last night. This morning the bait was gone and the trap was not sprung.

When I checked it, for some reason it had gotten wedged and no way would that trap spring.

So, it will get baited again tonight. Most likely whatever it was will come back tonight, since we seem to be feeding it quite well.

Frustrating. But anyway, it had not gotten into the coop.

Catherine