Whats eating my eggs?

[CDennis]

I live in Idaho, I have noticed recently that a few of my chicken eggs have been opened and eaten (leaving the shell). I don't think the chickens are doing this as normally they do not mess with whole eggs. My chickens are free range and roost/nest in my barn w/ goats. I have never lost one to a predator. What could be eating eggs but not harming my chickens. I have never seen snakes around my property. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nnbreeder]

Sounds like the calling card of a Skunk. Vermin such as rats and mice will usually open a small hole to get to the insides of the egg. And snakes leave no shell behind.

 

[CDennis]

Will a skunk hurt my chickens?

 

[threehorses]

Possums will do this, too. And they will definitely bring disease and death to your coop. I don't know about skunks - I just have them hauled off by wildlife guys. The possums are a different matter.

 

[rufus]

My money is on a skunk or house cat.

Rufus

 

[CDennis]

House cat? Really?