The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: everbrow on March 31, 2012, 08:10:02 am

Title: egg stealing
Post by: everbrow on March 31, 2012, 08:10:02 am
I do not keep poultry-the nearest to me are 100 m away.  In my paddock I have found over the last week nestled in the grass a hen's egg and at a different spot a hen's and a pheasant's eggs nesteld together. Eggs are undamaged. It is a country garden so stoats, rats, magpies, jackdaws, crows and grey squirel and cats are all potential culprits.  Any ideas of what might be doing it,especially given distance hens eggs would need to be carried.
Title: Re: egg stealing
Post by: jaykay on March 31, 2012, 08:16:29 am
Well, when my eggs get stolen, it's stoats, rats and jackdaws. But they usually damage and eat the eggs, it's shells I find under places.
Title: Re: egg stealing
Post by: Mel Rice on March 31, 2012, 09:00:06 am
Is it possible a wondering hen laid on top of a local phesant?  At this time of year I find my hens often seek out hidy-holes in which to lay....and the roaming area gets much bigger(I often have to retrive them from my neighbours compost heap,100 metres away, with a rattle of maize)
Title: Re: egg stealing
Post by: Bramblecot on March 31, 2012, 12:18:11 pm
If your neighbour has an escaping hen, she could easily make it to your paddock for some peace and quiet  :chook:.  Some of mine are terrible wanderers and will share nests (all ex batt so I give them a lot of leeway) ::)