Something weird is happening in the nests.

[Linni]

In the past, I've seen a few rats and I actually killed a snake trying to get into the coop a few months back. I moved the food farther away from the coop to discourage the rats (and hopefully not tempt the snakes). I also no longer throw food scraps in the chicken yard. I haven't seen any critters in a while. Now, here is what's happening... To encourage my (5) girls to lay (and I'd heard that this is a way to kill snakes), I have placed a few fake eggs in a few of the nests (inside the coop). Almost everyday, at least one of the fake eggs has been moved to a different nest. I know these hens aren't picking them up and moving. What could be moving these eggs around?

 

[HeritageGoose13]

That is strange- are you sure the hens are not moving them? I have ducks that steal each others eggs.

You are correct that if a snake swallows a fake egg it will die.

 

[Sjisty]

Child/neighbor/spouse playing a prank? Broody hens have been known to steal eggs from other nests.

 

[Linni]

I'm sure it's not a child doing this as we have a wood privacy fence around the backyard with gates that locking from the inside. Also, my dogs (inside but yappers at any movement) would have alerted to any intrusion. My husband is very hands-off when it comes to my chickens. He will not go near the chicken yard. I'll try to attach the image of the nests to get an idea of why I find it hard to believe it could be the hens moving the eggs. Could a snake carry an egg from one nest to the other? A rat? Maybe a squirrel? We do have a lot of squirrels.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

A snake could theoretically move them. Let's say the snake swallows an egg whole, then moves on the next nest. Then he becomes frightened of the chickens and regurgitates in a new nest. This could happen once... but I don't think it would happen over and over.

Rats and squirrels would probably not be interested in a fake egg. If they did pick it up, they would carry it away from the nests, not into them.

I think the chickens may be accidentally kicking the eggs out of the nest, or tossing them out on purpose because they know they are duds. Then another broody-ish chicken steals them for herself, which is possible, just difficult. They would need to use their beaks to push the egg over the lip of the nest box. This would be hard for your chickens to accomplish, but it makes the most sense out of all possibilities.

 

[Linni]

Wish I could catch them in the act. Maybe a hidden video. LOL