What might be getting my eggs?

[aderenzo]

I found 2 egg shells so well broken open in nest box. I don’t think it is a chicken. There was one egg left in that nest box the dirty one. Other 3 eggs were from another nest. What do you think it is and how can I get rid of it?

 

[Cookiesmith77]

I've heard cats and mice both with crack open the eggs and eat them. I'm no expert however so it's just an opinion.

 

[sgrum15]

What area are you in? It could help narrow down what might be getting to the eggs. Mice would be a good guess. If you don't see any signs of rodents around the coop then I wouldn't rule out a chicken eating the eggs since it's in the nesting box and most of the shell is still left.

 

[cmom]

I've heard cats and mice both with crack open the eggs and eat them. I'm no expert however so it's just an opinion.

What area are you in? It could help narrow down what might be getting to the eggs. Mice would be a good guess. If you don't see any signs of rodents around the coop then I wouldn't rule out a chicken eating the eggs since it's in the nesting box and most of the shell is still left.

I would say a chicken. Put up a game camera and see if you can find out.

 

[aderenzo]

What area are you in? It could help narrow down what might be getting to the eggs. Mice would be a good guess. If you don't see any signs of rodents around the coop then I wouldn't rule out a chicken eating the eggs since it's in the nesting box and most of the shell is still left.

I’m in Northeast Florida. I was thinking it may be mice. I haven’t seen any evidence of them though. No hens layed in that nest box yesterday My coop is pretty well sealed with an automatic door that opens at 8 AM and closes at 8 pm.

 

[igorsMistress]

Chickens. They could have broken an egg when laying by knocking them together and cleaned up the mess. Unless you catch the perpetrator in the act you won't know. That means a camera or lots of visits to the coop. Good luck.

 

[getaclue]

Mice, or rats would be my first guess.

 

[sgrum15]

I’m in Northeast Florida. I was thinking it may be mice. I haven’t seen any evidence of them though. No hens layed in that nest box yesterday My coop is pretty well sealed with an automatic door that opens at 8 AM and closes at 8 pm.

If you're not seeing any potential signs of mice and the coop is secure then I would bet on one of the chickens being the culprit. There's an article I found on this forum that has some tips to try and catch and stop egg eating that might be helpful for you!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/six-tips-on-breaking-your-egg-eater.63022/

 

[aderenzo]

So this is what I found today. Yesterday no hens layed in that nest box. Today the plastic nest egg was on the ground of the coop with bite marks and indentations (pretty hard to dent these eggs). It is almost like one nest box is being targeted at a time. I still don’t think it could be chickens for I’ve had that problem years ago and no what it looks like. It is almost like it comes in between 8 AM and noon. My chicken door is automatic 8” x 11” opening 1 foot off the ground.

Would a raccoon be so bold in daytime? I’m going to put my porcelain eggs in and let it break a tooth. Picture is different side of same nest egg.

 

[aderenzo]

Mice, or rats would be my first guess.

How do you get rid of mice short of poisoning them and risk poisoning your chickens or your eggs