As a backyard chicken owner you’ve likely wondered at some point – will squirrels eat chicken eggs? The answer is yes, squirrels are known egg thieves that can steal eggs right out from under your broody hen. While squirrels prefer nuts seeds, and other plant matter, they are opportunistic eaters who will eat eggs when they can get them. Protecting your flock starts with understanding why squirrels target eggs and how to squirrel-proof your coop.
Why Do Squirrels Eat Eggs?
Squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter Nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and green vegetation make up the bulk of their diet But squirrels will also eat insects, caterpillars, baby birds, and eggs to supplement their diet. This is especially true in late winter and early spring when pickings are slim. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and nutrients to help squirrels survive lean times.
Chickens present easy pickings for hungry squirrels. Free-range chickens that hide nests in bushes or trees are especially vulnerable to squirrel egg theft. But even cooped chickens are at risk if squirrels can find a way into the run or coop. Squirrels will steal and eat both fertilized and unfertilized eggs.
Do Squirrels Eat Baby Chickens?
In extreme cases squirrels may eat defenseless baby chicks in addition to raiding the nest for eggs. However this is relatively uncommon compared to egg theft. Baby chicks are more likely to fall victim to predators like hawks, raccoons, foxes, and snakes.
Adult chickens equipped with sharp beaks and claws are also generally safe from squirrels. The biggest risk squirrels pose is stealing and eating eggs before they have a chance to hatch. So be vigilant about collecting eggs frequently. Don’t give squirrels the opportunity.
How to Squirrel-Proof Your Chicken Coop
Keeping squirrels away from your flock starts with building a secure chicken fortress. Use 1/4 inch metal hardware cloth to cover any openings in the coop that squirrels could squeeze through. Bury hardware cloth at least 12 inches below ground level around the perimeter to prevent digging.
Trim any overhanging tree branches around the coop that could provide roof access. Install metal roofing if squirrels have been spotted trying to gain entry from above.
Collect eggs from nest boxes frequently – at least twice per day. Don’t give squirrels a chance to raid the coop. Lock up feed at night when chickens are sleeping safely in the coop. Pick up any spilled feed promptly.
Natural Squirrel Deterrents
For added protection, deploy natural squirrel deterrents around your coop:
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Sprinkle hot pepper powder or flakes around the perimeter and on top of the coop. Squirrels hate the spicy scent.
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Scatter fresh garlic cloves or spray garlic oil around the coop. The strong scent repels squirrels.
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Plant marigolds, geraniums, or onion sets around the run. Squirrels dislike the odor.
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Use predator decoys like plastic owls or fake snakes to scare squirrels away. Move them around occasionally so squirrels don’t get used to them.
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Play a talk radio station in the coop when you are away. The chatter will frighten squirrels off.
Train Your Dog for Squirrel Patrol
A vigilant dog that patrols the coop is one of the best defenses against squirrels and other predators. Get young pups used to chickens early on. Reward calm behavior around the birds.
Train your dog to chase away squirrels on command, but not to kill them. Most dogs will quickly learn to view the coop as their territory and guard it dutifully. Supervise children and dogs when first introducing them to the chickens.
Check for Holes in Fencing
Regularly walk the perimeter and inspect for potential breaches. Look for areas where digging may have occurred under the fence line. Squirrels are remarkably adept at finding or creating small holes to squeeze through. Be diligent about patching any gaps discovered.
Collect Eggs Frequently
The easiest thing you can do to thwart thieving squirrels is to collect eggs often. Don’t leave eggs sitting in the nest overnight. The more chances you give squirrels to grab an egg buffet, the bolder they will become about raiding the coop. Get in the habit of collecting eggs in the morning and evening.
Bait Squirrels Away from the Coop
You can distract squirrels away from the coop by baiting them with treats elsewhere:
- Set out an ear of corn, cob of corn, squash, or pumpkin on a platform or feeding table away from the coop.
- Offer nuts, seeds, acorns or sunflower seeds in squirrel feeders on the other side of your yard.
- Create a digging pit by raking an area of loose soil and burying unshelled walnuts or pecans just under the surface. The hunting and digging will keep squirrels occupied.
The key is making the bait more enticing than the eggs inside the fortress coop you’ve created. Think like a squirrel – what food source would be most attractive?
Monitor the Coop for Activity
Keep an eye out for signs of squirrel activity around the coop. Look for small claw marks on walls or dirt ramps built next to the structure. Watch to see if squirrels are scoping out the coop from nearby trees or fence tops.
Set up a wildlife camera inside the coop or run to capture unauthorized visitors in the act at night. Knowing exactly how and when squirrels are entering will allow you to seal up breaches in their tactics. Forewarned is forearmed when battling these clever egg bandits.
Remove Hiding Places Near the Coop
Clean up debris like lumber piles, rocks, and junk near the coop that squirrels could use for hiding and gaining access. Prune back overgrown landscaping and trim tall grass to eliminate squirrel cover. The more open space around the coop, the less likely squirrels will attempt a daytime egg heist.
Keep Chickens in a Fully Enclosed Run
The most secure setup to protect your flock from all predators is to keep them in a fully enclosed run attached to the coop anytime they are not supervised. Use hardware cloth over the roof of the run to prevent entry from above. Install an apron of buried hardware cloth around the perimeter to thwart digging. Close off access to the nest boxes except during egg collection times. Shut the chickens in the coop at night. Following these precautions will help ensure squirrels can’t gain access to your flock or their eggs.
Monitor for Predators After Dusk
Be especially vigilant at observing your coop in the evenings after chickens have gone inside to roost. This is prime time for squirrels and other predators to come scouting. Watch for activity from a distance or quietly patrol with a flashlight. Knowing how predators are targeting your coop will allow you to reinforce those areas.
Will Squirrels Eat Chicken Eggs?
As an opportunistic egg thief, the squirrel’s answer is yes – they will absolutely eat chicken eggs if given the chance. That’s why protecting your flock starts with understanding their motivation and tactics. Outsmart these wily critters by building a squirrel-proof fortress coop, collecting eggs frequently, and using natural deterrents. Stay vigilant in your patrols and continuously check for vulnerabilities that clever squirrels may have exploited. Follow these tips to keep your chickens and their eggs safe from thieving squirrels. The satisfaction of a robust flock and abundant egg harvest is worth the effort.
Make Your Coop Extra Strong
When making your chicken coop safe, consider it a special, secure home for your chickens. Heres how you can do it:
First, build your coop with strong material squirrels cant chew through. This is the first step to winning the fight against squirrels!
Hardware cloth or thick wood is great for this. They make the walls and ceiling of your coop very strong.
Next, think about the door to your chicken coop. Squirrels are little, so even a small gap is like an open invitation to them! But a good, strong door latch can stop this from happening.
And remember, put chicken wire under the ground. They could be digging beneath your fences and getting in.
Heres an easy fix:
- Dig a one-foot-deep, six-inch-wide trench around the area.
- Add chicken wire strips to your existing fence to create a downward skirt.
- Bury this skirt by refilling the trench with soil.
This underground barrier will effectively deter squirrel invasions.
Why Squirrels are Attracted to Chicken Coops?
Chicken coops are like a treasure trove for squirrels.
They provide warmth, safety, and, most importantly, food.
Chickens feed and leftover grains are a tempting buffet for these tiny eaters. If a squirrel finds its way into your coop, it will likely keep coming back for more.
Also, squirrels, being skilled climbers, can easily access bird eggs in nests.
This means that chicken eggs, which are larger and richer in nutrients, can be a prime target for hungry squirrels.
Understanding these key aspects of squirrels will help you better tackle the methods to keep them away from your chicken coop.
By knowing how squirrels think and act, you can outsmart them and keep your chickens safe.
Are Squirrels Dangerous to Backyard Chickens? – Five Minute Chicken Tips!
FAQ
How to keep squirrels from eating chicken eggs?
securing your chicken coop with smaller wire mesh around nesting boxes, regularly collecting eggs, using squirrel deterrents like pepper spray or strong scents like peppermint oil, and even setting traps for particularly persistent squirrels; make sure to check local regulations regarding trapping animals.
Will a squirrel steal a chicken egg?
Squirrels will absolutely eat bird eggs and baby birds! Squirrels are routinely seen raiding birds nests in trees and even stealing eggs from chicken coops. Eggs are a natural part of a squirrel’s diet but squirrels have not been shown to significantly impact bird populations.
Do squirrels steal eggs from nests?
Grey Squirrels will apparently even kill the occupants of nest sites to gain possession of them, as well as eating their eggs (Counsell 1998, B. Cannell in litt.).
Can you give an egg to squirrels?
While a large portion of their diet revolves around plants, they also eat some animal-based material. For example, the Eastern Gray Squirrel is known to eat insects, amphibians, small mammals, bird eggs, young bird nestlings and even bones.
Do squirrels eat chicken eggs?
Because squirrels are shy, you can just shoo them away. However, they can do considerable damage to your farm. Squirrels love eating chicken eggs and poultry feed, so collect eggs frequently and store feed in secure, preferably metal, storage cans for feed.
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.
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.
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 baby chickens?
Squirrels are naturally herbivores but don’t shy away from eating flesh sometimes and will devour little defenseless birds like baby chickens. Squirrels are known to steal eggs, but they don’t stop there. These cute furry creatures are from the rodent family, and their large incisors and molars can tear through baby chickens’ flesh given a chance.
Do squirrels kill chicks?
However, they can do considerable damage to your farm. Squirrels love eating chicken eggs and poultry feed, so collect eggs frequently and store feed in secure, preferably metal, storage cans for feed. In some cases Squirrels will kill chicks, so make sure any chicks brooded outside are in a very secure enclosure.