Squirrels do eat chicken eggs when the opportunity arises. This behavior stems from their dietary classification as opportunistic omnivores, meaning they consume a wide variety of foods, including animal matter. For a backyard chicken keeper, recognizing this possibility is the first step in protecting the flock and its production. Understanding the specific evidence they leave behind helps distinguish them from other potential predators.
Squirrels as Opportunistic Omnivores
Squirrels are primarily known for their herbivorous diet of nuts, seeds, and fruits, but they will readily supplement this with high-protein animal sources like insects and bird eggs. This dietary flexibility is what defines them as opportunistic omnivores, allowing them to survive in diverse environments. During periods when their preferred food sources are scarce, such as late winter or early spring, the nutritional value of an egg becomes a strong motivator.
The consumption of eggs provides a dense source of fat and protein that is particularly valuable for energy and reproductive health. A chicken egg offers substantially more concentrated nutrition than a typical wild bird egg, making it an attractive target. The behavior is most often observed when a squirrel is under metabolic stress or when eggs are left unattended and easily accessible.
Identifying the Signs of Squirrel Predation
Determining if a squirrel is responsible for missing eggs requires careful inspection of the scene, as they leave distinct evidence compared to other common egg predators. The most telling sign of a squirrel is the complete disappearance or transportation of the egg away from the nest box. A squirrel will often carry a single egg a short distance to a secure, elevated location to consume it.
If shell fragments are found, they typically display evidence of gnawing, characterized by jagged edges and small, chewed-up pieces. Because a squirrel’s incisors grow continuously, they are built for chewing, leaving behind teeth marks that differ from the neat, crushed end left by a skunk or the licked-out shell of a fox. If a whole egg is missing without a trace of shell or yolk, it is more likely the work of a snake, which swallows eggs whole.
Nest Vulnerability and Access Methods
Squirrels are highly adept climbers and exploit any structural vulnerability in a coop to access food and eggs. They are often attracted to the area first by accessible chicken feed. A common point of entry is any gap or hole larger than one inch, but their gnawing habit means they can enlarge existing openings in wood or even chew through thin chicken wire.
Once inside, the squirrel will typically target an unattended nest box to steal a single egg. Due to the size of a chicken egg relative to the squirrel’s body, they will either roll the egg away with their nose and front paws or carry it in their mouth to a safer spot for consumption. This method of single-egg removal distinguishes them from larger predators that may destroy an entire clutch or attack the chickens themselves.