Are your chicken eggs mysteriously disappearing? You might be quick to blame the usual suspects like raccoons, foxes, or snakes. But have you considered the bushy-tailed culprits that are bouncing around your yard? Yep, I’m talking about squirrels!
As a backyard chicken keeper for over 6 years, I’ve battled with all sorts of egg thieves, but squirrels were one predator I didn’t expect. So, will squirrels eat chicken eggs? The answer is absolutely YES – and they’re surprisingly skilled at it too!
The Truth About Squirrels and Chicken Eggs
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat pretty much anything they can get their little paws on. While nuts, seeds, and fruits make up the bulk of their diet, these crafty critters won’t hesitate to snatch up protein-rich chicken eggs when they find them.
What’s truly fascinating (and kinda frustrating) is how clever they are about it. Some chicken owners have even captured photos of squirrels carefully removing eggs from nest boxes, managing to get them to the floor without breaking them, and then rolling them out the chicken door. Talk about egg-cellent thieves!
Why Do Squirrels Target Chicken Eggs?
There are several reasons why squirrels might be raiding your henhouse:
- Nutritional value – Eggs are packed with protein and fats that squirrels need, especially during breeding seasons
- Seasonal food scarcity – When nuts and fruits are scarce, squirrels become more desperate and adventurous
- Easy access – If your coop isn’t “squirrel-proof,” it’s basically an all-you-can-eat buffet
- They’ve learned it works – Once a squirrel discovers eggs as a food source, they’ll keep coming back
How to Tell If Squirrels Are Your Egg Thieves
Before you start squirrel-proofing everything, make sure they’re actually the culprits. Here are some tell-tale signs:
- Missing eggs with no shells – Unlike some predators who break eggs on site, squirrels often carry them away whole
- Daytime disappearances – Squirrels are diurnal (active during the day), while many other predators work at night
- Small entry points – Squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small openings (about 1.5 inches)
- Squirrel sightings – If you frequently see squirrels around your coop, especially near nest boxes, that’s a big clue
One chicken owner from BackYard Chickens forum shared: “I have pictures of squirrels taking eggs from the nest boxes, managing to get them to the floor without breaking them and then rolling them out the chicken door.” If that doesn’t convince you of their determination, I don’t know what will!
Do Squirrels Harm Chickens?
While squirrels primarily target eggs, you might wonder if your actual chickens are in danger. Generally, adult chickens are safe from squirrels – they’re too big and can defend themselves with their beaks.
However, baby chicks might be at risk, though this is less common Squirrels are more interested in eggs than in attacking live birds. Still, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your entire flock
7 Effective Ways to Protect Your Chicken Eggs From Squirrels
Now for the part you’ve been waiting for – how to stop these egg thieves! Here are my tried-and-tested methods:
1. Collect Eggs Frequently
This is the simplest solution – don’t give squirrels the opportunity! Check for eggs multiple times throughout the day, especially during peak laying hours in the morning.
2. Make Your Coop Squirrel-Proof
Squirrels can squeeze through small openings and are excellent climbers. To keep them out:
- Use hardware cloth (not chicken wire) with openings no larger than 1/2 inch
- Cover all vents, windows, and other openings
- Ensure your chicken door closes securely when not in use
- Inspect regularly for any new entry points squirrels might create
3. Use Predator Deterrents
Several options can scare squirrels away:
- Predator decoys – Fake owls or hawks can deter squirrels (just remember to move them occasionally so squirrels don’t realize they’re fake)
- Reflective objects – CDs, aluminum foil strips, or reflective tape can startle squirrels
- Motion-activated sprinklers – A sudden spray of water will send squirrels running
4. Create Squirrel-Proof Nest Boxes
Design nest boxes that make it difficult for squirrels to access:
- Place nest boxes higher off the ground
- Install roll-away nest boxes where eggs roll into a protected collection area
- Add a hinged lid that only humans can open
5. Provide Alternative Food Sources
Sometimes, the best defense is a good distraction:
- Set up a squirrel feeder far away from your coop
- Fill it with nuts, seeds, and fruits to keep them occupied
- Consider growing squirrel-friendly plants in a different area of your yard
6. Use Natural Repellents
Some scents and tastes are unpleasant to squirrels:
- Sprinkle cayenne pepper around your coop perimeter
- Plant mint, garlic, or lavender near the coop
- Apply predator urine (available at garden stores) around the coop area
7. Consider a Guard Animal
If appropriate for your situation:
- A farm dog can be an excellent squirrel deterrent
- Some cats are skilled squirrel hunters
- Just ensure any guard animals are safe around your chickens!
What NOT to Do
While protecting your eggs is important, here are some approaches to avoid:
- Don’t use poison – It’s inhumane and can harm other wildlife, pets, or even your chickens
- Don’t rely solely on chicken wire – Squirrels can chew through it; hardware cloth is much more effective
- Don’t ignore small openings – What looks too small for a squirrel probably isn’t
Real Stories From Chicken Owners
I’ve talked to many fellow chicken keepers about their squirrel problems. One owner from the BackYard Chickens forum named ThePamperedPullet mentioned: “We have 8 breeder pens that are all built the same but they only take the eggs out of one pen. One of the other pens they get into the box and bust the eggs.”
Another chicken owner reported: “Glad we are not the only ones that have that problem. Our best deterent so far is a .22.” While I don’t personally recommend this approach (there are more humane solutions!), it shows how frustrated some chicken keepers get with persistent squirrels.
Balancing Wildlife and Chickens
Some folks prefer a more harmonious approach. As one wildlife rehabilitator pointed out: “For me keeping chickens is about sustainable living. Killing any predator in your yard is NOT. Remember they have been there before you. We human enroach on wildlife – try to live in peace with your wildlife. EXCLUSION is the key word.”
I tend to agree with this perspective. With proper exclusion techniques, we can protect our chickens’ eggs without harming the local wildlife. After all, squirrels are just doing what comes naturally to them – looking for food!
My Personal Experience
When I first started noticing missing eggs, I blamed my kids for collecting them and not telling me (sorry kids!). It wasn’t until I spent a morning watching from my kitchen window that I caught a gray squirrel in the act, carefully rolling an egg across the chicken run!
I immediately upgraded my coop security with hardware cloth and started collecting eggs more frequently. I also set up a squirrel feeder on the opposite side of our property, which helped reduce (though not completely eliminate) the problem.
Final Thoughts: Coexisting With Egg-Stealing Squirrels
So, will squirrels eat chicken eggs? Absolutely! These clever critters have figured out that chicken coops can be a gold mine of nutritious treats. But with the right precautions, you can protect your precious eggs while still allowing squirrels to thrive in your yard.
Remember, successful chicken keeping is all about adaptability. Sometimes that means outsmarting a furry little egg thief who’s just trying to get by in this world, same as your chickens.
Have you had problems with squirrels stealing your chicken eggs? What solutions worked best for you? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
P.S. If you’re still having trouble after trying these methods, don’t give up! Sometimes it takes a combination of approaches to discourage particularly determined squirrels. And remember – those little thieves are smart, so you might need to change up your strategies periodically to stay one step ahead of them!
Will Chickens Attack Squirrels?
Chickens and squirrels usually live together without any problems.
Chickens like to peck and find insects to eat, while squirrels hop around looking for nuts. Mostly, they leave each other alone.
But sometimes things change. If chickens feel scared, they might try to protect themselves, their babies, or their eggs.
And if a squirrel is stuck in a corner, it might try to fight to escape.
So, sometimes, chickens and squirrels might fight.
Lets think about this more:
- What chickens usually do: Chickens are usually calm. They dont fight unless they need to. Think about how your chickens act with other animals.
- Big or brave chickens: If a chicken is large, brave, or likes to protect its space, it might fight a squirrel if it feels scared or threatened.
- Food issues: Fights can happen if chickens and squirrels want the same food. Squirrels might want the chickens food, causing problems.
So, even though chickens and squirrels dont normally fight, sometimes they might.
A. Characteristics of Squirrels
Squirrels are small, furry rodents in many places worldwide.
Their bushy tails and strong hind legs help them climb trees and jump from branch to branch.
Squirrels front teeth never stop growing, so they need to gnaw on things to keep them at a healthy length.
This biting habit is why squirrels can be a problem for chicken coops.
They can chew through wood, plastic, or even lightweight metal.
Squirrels are energetic and curious creatures.
Theyre active during the day and always look for food.
Squirrels have good memories, which help them find hidden food catches in times of low supply.
Theyre not picky eaters, and theyll happily snack on fruits, seeds, nuts, and even bird eggs when available.
Squirrels may seem cute, but they sometimes show aggressive or territorial behavior.
They might scratch or bite when they feel threatened. This is also why keeping them away from your chicken coop is essential.
Do Squirrels Like To Eat Chicken? A Squirrel ️ Gets Caught In Our Backyard Chicken Coop
FAQ
Do squirrels eat live chickens?
Squirrels do not eat live chickens; they will feed on their dead carcasses. However, they can harm chickens when going for eggs, chicks, and food. When chickens defend their eggs or chicks, squirrels might fight back and potentially injure them.
Do squirrels attack chickens?
In some cases, squirrels won’t run away from chickens. They’ll fight back. They don’t usually attack chickens, but when they are desperate to get to the chicks or steal the eggs, they will. Can Squirrels Harm Chickens? Yes, squirrels can harm chickens while fighting them for their food or eggs.
Do squirrels eat bird eggs?
Squirrels are known to be opportunistic animals and yes, they eat eggs. It is relatively easy for them to raid a bird’s nest.
Does a squirrel damage or eat a chicken coop?
Squirrels are known to eat insects, eggs, small birds, young snakes, and smaller rodents (Wikipedia). They can pose a threat to chicken coops, especially during their hungriest season in early spring when coops have eggs and small chicks inside.
Can squirrels eat chicken egg shells?
Chicken egg shells are extremely high in calcium, and squirrels need calcium. That’s why squirrels are often found eating the soil of gardeners who use crushed egg shells to enrich their plants with calcium. Studies show that there is so much calcium in chicken egg shells that it’s worth considering their potential as a food source for squirrels.
What do squirrels eat?
If you thought that squirrels only eat vegetables, seeds, fruits, and nuts, you underestimated these little furballs. Squirrels will also eat insects, worms, young snakes, human snacks, and chicken eggs. Just like with baby chickens, when other food sources are scarce, squirrels will eat what they can put their paws on.