Unsecure chicken perches

[rod204]

I have 3 ducks & 10 chickens. They all live free range in an old apple orchard protected by a 50m of electric poultry netting. My ducks nest in a ground based arc and my chooks a raised coop 3 foot from the ground. 3 weeks ago my duck egg production became sporadic and this week none! I thus introduced a china egg for encouragement and today that was missing. I have read about rats, but their is no evidence of egg shell infact their is no shell at all! I would be grateful for any help , Rod

[Chucky Mama]

Rats?

[Egluntyne]

Badgers?

[Jools]

Magpies?

 

Can you stake it out or maybe set up a camera to solve the mystery?

[rod204]

Thought about rats but have found no evidence and have a very good black burmeses ratter! Also would seem improbable that a rat could take a duck egg? Unless it is built like Jeff Capes!

I have back in march had a visit from a badger in another part of the orchard. Also the eggs go missing from within the confines of the electric fence and during the day so wonder about the badgers?

Have thought that it could be magpies/rooks or crows will endevour to stake out run over the weekend. If so has anyone any solutions?

[Jools]

If it is corvids then I've heard of good results by putting up a curtain type arrangement over the pophole or door. Something like a plastic feed sack cut into strips which you'll need to get your chickens used to going through but should be enough to put the thieves off. Let us know what you find! And good luck.