Well, here in no-where kentucky, I think we have either a weasel or mink problem. Maybe something else.
For a long while now, I've noticed that I'm not getting enough eggs. I have 7 birds that lay FAITHFULLY, 2 that im not sure are laying, and one that hasnt begun. When I go to the coop, I completely expect 5-6 eggs per day, throwing in the occasional flunker. However, I've only been getting 3 a day, if I'm lucky - and if I dont gather for 2 days, I might have 5 or 6. Also, I have found eggs that have been strown out across the coop - and my girlies NEVER lay in the floor.
When I do go to get eggs, I can see a thin layer of yolk on the eggs sometimes. However, there are NEVER any shells left. I've had cracked, WHOLE eggs - but never any empty shells, untill today. I went out, and there was a EE egg - and the top was broken off, and the yolk sucked out. There wasnt a mess in the laying box with the other two eggs (which were unharmed). When I picked it up, leftover yolk dripped out - but there was barely anything left. Thank god my girlies, man, and the new boy were freeranging.
Here are some pictures of the cracked egg -
Dad was down at the coop at 3:30 - the eggs were fine. At about 5:30 I went down and checked, and the egg had been eaten, but the shell left.
Also, I've been noticed that my "birds" have been eating HUGE amounts of layer feed - even though the freerange for good parts of the day. I chalked it up to finches, squirrels, and other little furries......but would minks/weasels do that?
There is a "den" - a hole dug into the ground, fairly large opening - begind the chicken coop in the woods - and a peice away, not on our land, there is a pond. We all agreed this seemed like it might be the work of a mink/weasel.
All of our birds are fine - I've never lost a bird in this coop - but I am very, very worried my babies may not be safe.
What do you guys think?
I've found no
For a long while now, I've noticed that I'm not getting enough eggs. I have 7 birds that lay FAITHFULLY, 2 that im not sure are laying, and one that hasnt begun. When I go to the coop, I completely expect 5-6 eggs per day, throwing in the occasional flunker. However, I've only been getting 3 a day, if I'm lucky - and if I dont gather for 2 days, I might have 5 or 6. Also, I have found eggs that have been strown out across the coop - and my girlies NEVER lay in the floor.
When I do go to get eggs, I can see a thin layer of yolk on the eggs sometimes. However, there are NEVER any shells left. I've had cracked, WHOLE eggs - but never any empty shells, untill today. I went out, and there was a EE egg - and the top was broken off, and the yolk sucked out. There wasnt a mess in the laying box with the other two eggs (which were unharmed). When I picked it up, leftover yolk dripped out - but there was barely anything left. Thank god my girlies, man, and the new boy were freeranging.
Here are some pictures of the cracked egg -
Dad was down at the coop at 3:30 - the eggs were fine. At about 5:30 I went down and checked, and the egg had been eaten, but the shell left.
Also, I've been noticed that my "birds" have been eating HUGE amounts of layer feed - even though the freerange for good parts of the day. I chalked it up to finches, squirrels, and other little furries......but would minks/weasels do that?
There is a "den" - a hole dug into the ground, fairly large opening - begind the chicken coop in the woods - and a peice away, not on our land, there is a pond. We all agreed this seemed like it might be the work of a mink/weasel.
All of our birds are fine - I've never lost a bird in this coop - but I am very, very worried my babies may not be safe.
What do you guys think?
I've found no
