The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Hester on April 02, 2008, 08:15:04 am

Title: Eggs being eaten or taken?
Post by: Hester on April 02, 2008, 08:15:04 am

Has any one else had a problem with eggs disappearing?
We recently had some carrots disappear from our shed where chicken food is kept in metal bins, at the same time our egg production has diminished from 10 eggs a day to about 1 or 2 we do have a squirrel resident, but is it more lightly a rat? how on earth can we tell haven't seen anything moving and thought rats would eat by knawing not taking whole carrots. Has any one any suggestions? we have two cats and a dog not much of a deterrant.

Title: Re: Eggs being eaten or taken?
Post by: The Chicken Lady on May 07, 2008, 09:12:07 am

I would say that they have been taken. If they are being eatedn there is usually evidence of egg yolk about. How is the supply of eggs now?  :chook:

Title: Re: Eggs being eaten or taken?
Post by: Rosemary on May 07, 2008, 09:18:00 pm

Are you sure it's not a two-legged rat?

Title: Re: Eggs being eaten or taken?
Post by: mojo on May 24, 2008, 10:06:02 am

not knowing where you live but here in france we have lots of crittas that steal eggs...........ranging from stoats and weasels via rats and squirrels to martins and humans..........have you found the culprit yet?/

Title: Re: Eggs being eaten or taken?
Post by: hexhammeasure on June 04, 2008, 08:24:40 am

one way to find out would be to catch the culprit. Try setting a squrrel size cage trap with some eggs. with our ducks egg production jumps up and down depending on where they hide the eggs, we try not to let them free range till after coffee but the older ones soon got wise to that

Title: Re: Eggs being eaten or taken?
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on June 05, 2008, 10:35:49 am

Do you have a mink population at all ????