What scares off daytime predators ???

diditotaro

In the Brooder
5 Years
Jun 23, 2014
15
5
26
After thinking on the advice I rec'd here yesterday and checking the yard for nests which I couldn't find I am wondering if hawks or racoons are slipping into the coop during the day and stealing the eggs???

It was suggested that I leave everyone in the coop until all eggs are laid but that would mean that the girls are trapped inside all day until I come home at 5:30 pm after work....the few times they have laid an egg is betweem 8:30 and 11 am when i am at work..so i can't run over and get the eggs. I monitor them on weekends and it seems i have no early layers :(

It just seems weird that there isn't even a tiny sliver of shell left on the ground...if the hens were eating the eggs i'd see some evidence right??? Makes me wonder if something else isn't coming in and getting take out !

My coop door is open all day so the girls can wander in for food..water or a rest...as well as to lay....the coop is surrounded by a 5 ft chainlink fence but is open top wise above the 5ft fence....I couldn't cover the whole football field with wire mesh from an aerial standpoint so i am wondering if there is a deterernt i could use like scarcrows or something???

We are mounting a deer cam on door tomorrow to try and get a better view of wha tis happebning in the coop while i am away at work during the day but wondered if anyone else had this issue and what you did.

Also- THANK YOU for being here and the help and easing the new mom worries and 1000 questions I have.....
REALLY really appreciate this group

Didi
 
I don't think hawks would bother with eggs- they would just grab a chick or chicken. Scarecrows don't work because preds soon learn it won't come after them. An attentive - chicken protective dog would be a be a great first defense but, finding one isn't easy.

Many preds that used to hunt at night now show up during the day. It doesn't mean they are rabid, they just adapt to what works best for them. For instance coons would notice if you leave a bowl or cat/dog food out on the step. We're had foxes out at all times of day and night - the same one for several years (can tell by the mangy spot on his side) so I know he isn't rabid.

Used to see a coyote after deer, most mornings when I would go for a walk (we are surrounded by forest preserve. Three deer were coming my way super fast, so I stepped aside wondering what had startled them. It was one coyote hoping he'd get the slowest one but, they were smarter about crossing streets.

The best protection at any time of day is a fort knox of coops and runs. If beasts cannot get in they will go to the next place and so on until they find easy pickings.

If you are allowed to use firearms - that sends a pretty good message but, you have to be there to do it.

Hopefully others can think of better ways.
 
PS if preds were taking eggs, I don't think you would find any debris. Snakes for one will swallow them on the spot, if you see them afterwards it will look like they swallowed golf balls. Chickens eating eggs would leave shell behind.
 
Welcome to BYC
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Glad you joined us! Rodents are egg
thief's, that I learned from experience. Also humans... A camera in the coop is a good idea. If it is an egg eater (they don't always leave evidence), have a look here for tips on breaking that habit:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/six-tips-on-breaking-your-egg-eater
 
Hello there and welcome to BYC!
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I have found the only way to protect my flock from daytime predators is a good run. I do let them out to free range with my supervision only.

Good luck and I hope get all this solved soon!
 
Welcome to BYC! You've received some good advice and a good link. You might also want to check out our section on Predators and Pests at https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center/tag/predators-and-pests/ As much as you might like to free range your chickens, depending on the severity of your predator situation, you might find that you have to go with TwoCrows suggestion. When I raised chickens on the big island of Hawaii, the mongooses were so bad (they are active during the day) that it was impossible to free range there without eventually losing the entire flock. Mongooses will eat anything, including chickens and eggs. I had to keep the chickens in runs with hardware cloth over the top, all around the sides, and underneath the runs (to keep them from digging underneath). The same principle could apply with whatever predators you have in your area (if not for your birds, at least for your eggs). Good luck in predator proofing your flock.
 

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