Stolen egg

[Willie84]

Hey chicken people I have had an egg stolen. At lease I think so, the temperature has reached 35 degrees outside. And the nest was a mess it looked like an egg had exploded but there is no smell. The shell of the egg was in the run and empty. I only have one other chicken in the same area. And the eggs have been under my broody for less than 24 hours. Could the other chicken be stealing the egg? Is there a reason why only one egg has made a mess of the nest? Any help would be great

 

[theoldchick]

Rats could be eating the eggs.

 

[rebrascora]

Rats could certainly be the culprit and if so, you need to get on top of the situation pronto because it's one thing having an egg stolen and another finding the remnants of a chick that has been eaten alive.
Another possibility is that the egg had a weak shell and got broken in the nest. A broody hen will usually do her best to clean it up by eating as much of it as she can and sometimes other chickens will run off with the shell. You will need to clean up the other eggs as best as possible and replace the soiled nest material. That mess will harbour bacteria (and stink) if it is left as it is.

Good luck with your hatch.

Barbara

 

[Willie84]

Thanks I have just seen a rat out on the fence. I can't see how or where they would get into the coop but I will check the nest tomorrow. I have cleaned up the mess and replace the bedding. Hopefully this was a one off. All I need now is a way to keep the rats away