Squirrel inside pen

[Shamo Hybrid]

Just spotted a squirrel inside my chicken pen, should I be worried? Will they do any harm to my chickens whether it be physically or transferring any kind of diseases? And do they eat eggs?

 

[Sue S]

I don't think they will harm the chickens or eat the eggs. Does it have a way out, is the door open on the pen or did you see how it got in threw a hole or threw the door???? Try putting some nuts or seeds out to lure it out. If it came in threw a hole you might want to fix it so the squirrel or something bigger can't get back in. Goodluck

 

[arrowti]

Squirrels hang out with our chickens all the time. They drink the water (it's been hot and dry, lately, so likely it's their easiest source), and eat seeds and even some of the grain left on the ground. The chickens don't care about the squirrels and vice versa.

 

[Dand AL]

Ummm, I realize this is an older thread, but YES squirrels DO EAT EGGS! I have multiple videos of them stealing multiple eggs per day from my coop!

 

[KathieMc]

They also eat hatchlings...I've witnessed a squirrel take four hatchlings (Mocking Birds) from a nest in our Forsythia, carry them up to his perch in the Walnut tree and proceed to eat them. Ever since then, I've realized that they aren't the cute fluffy critters I thought they were and that they will eat whatever is available.

 

[paneubert]

They also eat hatchlings...I've witnessed a squirrel take four hatchlings (Mocking Birds) from a nest in our Forsythia, carry them up to his perch in the Walnut tree and proceed to eat them. Ever since then, I've realized that they aren't the cute fluffy critters I thought they were and that they will eat whatever is available.

They are giant rats with fluffy tails. Think of them that way and their actions make more sense.

 

[animals1981]

squirrels are with my chickens feeding and stuff. They dont seem as predatory as rats. They do raid tiny bird nests though. But never seen them touch a pigeon or chicken.