What made this

[Steviechickie]

Can anyone tell me what might have done this. I'm a little new to chicken keeping. Have 3 fully grown hens and 9 chicks that are 6 weeks old and just got put outside in the new coop. Noticed the hole in the ground after a very heavy rain. There were scratch marks where the clumps were like something dug in there and I can't tell if those clumps are droppings or dirt. The hole in the egg today which would be 4 days later and it was laid today, I pull eggs everyday and do not let them sit overnight. The hens are laying in the old coop still but I took the ramp into off to try to get them to go to the new coop so I imagine it would be hard for something to get in it. New coop is predator proof also. Idk if it would be a rat, gopher possom or what but the hole in ground might be a little bigger than a golf ball maybe. If anyone can tell me what it could be and what i can do to get rid of them without harming chickens or their eggs it woild be greatly appreciated

 

[cavemanrich]

The egg may be just a coincidence of weak shell dropped from hens vent. And fractured/cracked.
If you are not sure of the droppings/dirt??? take a piece and place in some water. Scat will dissolve. Soil, dirt wont in same way.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Steviechickie]

The egg may be just a coincidence of weak shell dropped from hens vent. And fractured/cracked.
If you are not sure of the droppings/dirt??? take a piece and place in some water. Scat will dissolve. Soil, dirt wont in same way.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Ok it's dirt not scat thank you lol. And to add to post i haven't had anything attack chickens. I have see some of the biggest coons in my life get into my trash but have not had anything attack chickens

 

[nuthatched]

The egg was damaged by chickens, the hole is likely from a skunk.