Will eat the chickens if I take the eggs

[chickenmama109]

Ok so there is something getting in my coop it moved my broody hen and ate her eggs will it eat the chickens if I take the eggs out of the coop before night time

 

[staceyj]

Look for a snake

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Rat snake although how many eggs is it eating? If more than one you are dealing with something else. I gladly share occasionally with the Rat snake in return for no rodent population. Before it took up residence, I had trouble with rodents. I dont think they are a problem with full grown birds, ducks in my case. I did however have some sort of constrictor wrap around one of my lings. I put them out too early but was sleeping next to the barn door and heard her screaming. Unwrapped the snake and despatched it. Normally l leave all the nonpoisions alone as they do more good than harm.

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks every one yes it ate three to four eggs and it dug under the coop so I don't think it's a snake but I have had one in my coop before

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Hmmm I would guess racoon. I got a game camera outside the coop to take a picture of what I was dealing with. Amazing what comes at night. But that helped in how to reinforce the coop. I am on concrete so no opportunity to dig under.

 

[bobbi-j]

Skunks will also dig under your coop and steal eggs.

 

[RWise]

As will rats,,,how big is the hole?

 

[flyin-lowe]

Rat snakes will probably eat more then one egg too. I have seen them go into purple martin housing and go cavity by cavity at nights eating eggs, birds, etc. until it finally eats enough in one cavity that it can't fit back out of the opening. Then the owner finds it.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Yikes, guess I am lucky mine just slithers in and grabs an egg and slithers away. I am sure it has plenty of other things to eat. Saw a Buttermilk racer on my back steps yesterday.

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks everyone for your help I really appreciate it