something getting to chicken coop taking my eggs is it a possum or skunk.!?

[chickenmama109]

hi so there is something digging holes under my coop to get to the run and the laying boxs so last night i covered all of the holes and what ever it is moved the brick that i covered the hole with and also a bored that i covered the other hole with we seen a possum cross the street the other night but im alittle worried that it may be a skunk that is taking my eggs, you see i collect the eggs in the morning but last night whatever keeps getting in my coop took the eggs and i want to trap it so it will stop coming back but what o you think it is

 

[aart]

Best bet is to keep it from getting in....you're lucky it only took eggs, if it can get into your nests it could get into the coop(assuming your nests are attached to coop).

Latch on nest access.

Anti-dig apron around run.
Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[chickenmama109]

thanks yes the laying boxs are in the coop

 

[Leaguinea]

hi so there is something digging holes under my coop to get to the run and the laying boxs so last night i covered all of the holes and what ever it is moved the brick that i covered the hole with and also a bored that i covered the other hole with we seen a possum cross the street the other night but im alittle worried that it may be a skunk that is taking my eggs, you see i collect the eggs in the morning but last night whatever keeps getting in my coop took the eggs and i want to trap it so it will stop coming back but what o you think it is

Personally I wouldn't worry about the species I would just trap it and destroy it. Like @aart said you are lucky it didn't kill your hens. Once it has discovered a source of food it will keep coming back and if you take it away and release it somewhere else you are just causing an issue for someone else. There is a local Pest control company that traps raccoons, possum etc in the city and brings them to a bush area down the road from our farm, We have destroyed several that have approached us during the day or that come into our barn while we are doing the chores. they are disoriented and displaced from their environment and they are used to people and finding food in and near buildings.

 

[chickenmama109]

Personally I wouldn't worry about the species I would just trap it and destroy it. Like @aart said you are lucky it didn't kill your hens. Once it has discovered a source of food it will keep coming back and if you take it away and release it somewhere else you are just causing an issue for someone else. There is a local Pest control company that traps raccoons, possum etc in the city and brings them to a bush area down the road from our farm, We have destroyed several that have approached us during the day or that come into our barn while we are doing the chores. they are disoriented and displaced from their environment and they are used to people and finding food in and near buildings.

Thanks I really don't want to kill it there is a place where no where live around and it's for wild life that is where I will take it if I catch which I really hope I do

 

[aart]

Thanks I really don't want to kill it there is a place where no where live around and it's for wild life that is where I will take it if I catch which I really hope I do

If you trap, kill it.
If you don't want to kill it, do not trap it.
Relocation is illegal for many good reasons.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Yes an anti-dig apron would be in my Opion the first step to take. If there’s something digging through to steal eggs then something else could dig through and still your chickens.You could use a game camera to see what it is but yes if you trap it it needs to be killed. Relocating is it just a legal but it’s wrong. You are presenting a problem to someone else. In some areas if you trap a raccoon possum or something of that nature you can take it to animal control. Someplaces you can’t. But that’s something to look into if you track and don’t want to kill or can’t.

 

[perchie.girl]

egg eaters:
Snakes
Squirrels
Chickens
Ravens
dogs
Rats

We have ground squirrels they can dig their way in. But can get through a hole the size of their head.
Snakes.... There are species of snake that only eat eggs. Then there are egg opportunists. I have had em come in dine on finch eggs then couldnt get out because they were too fat. Garter snake through half inch wire.
Rattle snakes will NOT eat eggs not adapted to it dont recognize them as food.

http://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/2012/06/egg-eating-snakes.html

Chickens will eat eggs if they start out lacking something in their diet. Once they start they dont stop. A dark nest helps...

I have had ravens walk in through the pop door and walk out with an egg.

And of course dogs or Canids Fox Coyote .... But the real danger from dogs is they prefer chicken.

BEST defense is to harvest eating eggs. Place Broodies in their own special extra secure enclosure.

Roll out nests are an excellent deterrent... for all conditions.

But if something is coming in YOur chickens are in danger... Best reinforce the coop

I too prefer to not kill only deter. I prefer not to relocate. either unless its a rattle snake.
Active deterrent:
Hot wire is an excellent deterrent for most mammals... Low for diggers Higher for jumpers and climbers. Predators that find out the fences bite... stay away but keep their territory which gives the added benefit of not having to teach a new predator.

Passive deterrent:
Good stout wire that cannot be reached through I use four gauge aviary wire.
Aviary netting for Over head attack.... Cats of any kind wont walk on surfaces that give.

Coyote fence... fence that has rollers on the top. works for cats and dogs too.
my worst predation issue was from local or feral dogs.

That leaves rats.... Which I will kill. If you see one there are at least five more minimum. They cannot get through half inch wire but they do use tunnels left behind or dig their own.

There is a poison that is not dangerous if a snake eats a poisoned rat... Its made from corn. http://myhousepests.com/rats/natural-rat-poison.html I bought some at the feed store and it works.

deb

 

[Birdsong 82]

Also mice can get through extremely small wire. Mice will actually roll exit out and stockpile them in a hidden spot. I guess the only way to really know the culprit would be a game camera. But as someone suggested a rollaway nest box might make it harder for an animal To find