What Takes Eggs?

[kvalidir]

Noticed earlier that one of our chickens has been laying in the hedge ( she'd eht one who always gets out) and there were 11 eggs there. Just went to collect them up and now there are only 7. No sign whatsoever of them so what takes eggs? The chickens can't get to them ( even the escaper hasn't been out today) so quite puzzled. Any ideas?

[mazie]

Fox perhaps or squirrels

[shoota]

Mink?
Put sand down by the egg box and see if you can get tracks.

[ruthandsam]

Crows, ravens and squirrels?

[EcclesCake]

rats too.

[whirlyhurly]

Hopefully not rats.

[2sp_]

Weasels, stoats and badgers take them too.

[kvalidir]

Well we have all of those. Whatever it is it's a cheeky so and so because we've got droves of cats and 5 dogs milling about all over the place ( it's not any of them - they're too thick). I assumed rats (inevitable in a farm yard) but I'll put some sand down and try to get some tracks. Thanks all xxx

[Svejk]

dogs, human beings

[Henrietta]

I don't wish to alarm you Kvalidir but a little while ago I was reading about someone on a farm who noticed weird goings on as in veg being dug up, eggs stolen etc.. and it turned out to be a criminal vagrant living rough in the scrub.

If there isn't any evidence of animals then I'd put up a hidden camera with night vision to see who or what is taking the eggs.

Has there been any other weird goings on recently? Weird lights in the sky or anything like that?

[kvalidir]

Actually weird you should say that Henrietta, I thought there was someone lamping in the field opposite the other day because I saw a torch late at night. If it's someone desperate for food I'll put something more useful out for them. Thanks I hadn't thought of that.

[shoota]

Got a new 'hare' do kval?

[kvalidir]

Yeah do you like it? I love moongazing hares and my lovely boyfriend bought me a print so it's now my avatar:)

[IggyB]

My cat steals eggs from nests, cracks them open and sucks away...

[lilypoppyfre]

I have just read the story about missing chicken eggs....
My son has 3 chicks and noticed recently that some were missing.As his chickens do sometimes wander alongside the back of some houses, he went and had a look...one of his neighbour had prepared, just outside his back fence, a nice little nest.....when he told me, I suggested that when he next saw some eggs there, that he take them and put in their place a couple of hard-boiled eggs.....the nest has since disappeared.....my son does not eat all the eggs he gets and does give some to any neighbour who asks him.....

[Svejk]

^lol, good story. I'd have put exploding eggs in the nest.(if they still sell them)