disappearing eggs

[CarolynEarley]

We have a mystery. We have had several broody hens on eggs and are finding that eggs are disappearing. For example, yesterday I checked on Hilda who had three eggs that were to hatch today and there were only two. Likewise Beryl had 7 eggs yesterday which should hatch on Thursday, and today she only has 6 - I am not sure when it went, whether overnight or during the day. This is not the first time this has happened, in fact it happens quite frequently lately. The hens are in their own brooders which we had tried to rat proof by encasing them in chicken wire. Could the rates still be getting in? Would they take the whole egg and its contents without leaving any traces? Or, could it be the hens themselves that realise their eggs are not going to hatch and are getting rid of them? Please advise 07

 

[daniellesdogs]

sound like you need spycam. iv had eggs go missing coming up to hatch never did find out were they went

 

[podstable]

I guess one rogue hen might do it -but if a second does I bet its rat--or similar! Ros 06

 

[E3lx]

a spycam would be useful, could be a rat, but the first thing that springs to mind is a rogue hen :| :|

 

[NEWTODUCKS]

Hi,
I had a hen sitting on eggs and she was inside a dog crate with no chance of a hen getting in and also had eggs disappear without trace. I put it down to a rat. 06

 

[CarolynEarley]

Thanks all. We know it is definitely not another hen as they cannot egt into the brooders so can only be the hen who is sitting on the eggs or rats. It is so upsetting when they start off sitting on 10 eggs and then by hatching day there are only 4-5 left. Anyway, we will continue and keep checking for entrance and exit routes that we may have missed. Thanks again

 

[VALBURNHAM]

if its a rat it could cause you big problems as it will kill chicks. So I you really do need to find out if it is a rat and try to secure the area before the hatch

 

[chrismahon]

The broody hen has eaten them I would say. She talks to the eggs and if she doesn't get a response just days before they hatch she eats the egg and usually most of the shell too. We had a broody who went the other way and paniced when the eggs responded and ate them! She was too young, only a year old. Went down on hatch day to find 6 eaten and 4 left. Those 4 went into the hatcher immediately and produced one lovely Buff Orpington hen called Ollie who lays really well -a thank you for saving her.