Who stole my eggs???

[HeatherTheMommy]

Ok weird story. I sell my extra eggs and i had a lady coming to get some this morning. We had to go grocery shopping so i put her eggs on my porch up on our bar. It was an 18 count with a 12 count on top. When i came home i brought them in since she hadnt picked them up yet. They felt lighter so i opened the box and 4 random eggs were taken from the 12 count box. Not un a row just randomy taken. I know it wasnt a person because we live on a farm with only family on 120 acres. The carton was closed and if it were a person they would just take the whole box. Im so confused. What would take 4 eggs like that?

 

[Free Spirit]

Raccoon??

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Thats what my husband said. He said to put more out and see if it happens again but i don't want them thinking our yard is free food

 

[bluema]

I'd guess a raccoon as well. They're dexterous enough to steal the eggs without crushing them right out. It could be a possum too.

You should confirm by installing a security camera. A wifi IP cam can be less than $50 and capture motion sensor footage. I've done this myself many times to solve mysteries around my house.

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Now im afraid to let my girls out later. I usually let them free range in the evening.

 

[bluema]

As long as the girls return to their coop by dusk, it might be relatively ok at least from nocturnal animals like coons. You always run risk of losing them when free-ranging chickens. My main problem is hawk during day time. I've seen odd coons hang out once in a while during broad daylight as well. Luckily foxes don't come in my property because all my neighbors have big dogs with underground fence.

You'll never know and will always wonder. Install a security cam that with night time IR vision - like I said they're inexpensive, and will pay off in saved chicken feed vs free ranging.
You can set the the cams to alert alarms as well. Solving the mystery surrounding your eggs would be a no brainer for me. I even have security cams installed in the run and in their coop so that I can figure out who's laying eggs.