Egg shells disappeared after chicks hatch??

[LemonyCatapult]

I have a broody sitting on some eggs, I took 3 out from under her last night when I noticed they were starting to hatch and put them in my brooder. There were some slow hatchers that I left with her and when I went out this morning to collect the rest of the chicks (2) the chicks were there and out of the nest healthy, with no egg shells to be found?

Just wondering if the other chickens may have eaten them? Seems strange that two hens and one rooster would completely eat 2 egg shells without a single trace but I’m just curious.

Thanks!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Why remove the chicks from their mother?

 

[LemonyCatapult]

They are being sold

Why remove the chicks from their mother?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Is it possible that the eggshells got crushed or mixed into the bedding?

 

[LemonyCatapult]

Is it possible that the eggshells got crushed or mixed into the bedding?

I don’t thinks so, the bedding is clean and there’s not a single trace. It could have only happened over night so they didn’t have too much time to do whatever they did with them!

 

[Sara L]

Yes, they can and will eat the eggshells. It helps hide the fact that there's a nest nearby plus it gives them calcium.

 

[oregonkat]

The hen will have gladly consumed the egg shells, especially if she is feeling calcium deprived after brooding those chicks. Perfectly normal!

 

[WVduckchick]

The hen will have gladly consumed the egg shells, especially if she is feeling calcium deprived after brooding those chicks. Perfectly normal!

x2