11 new baby chicks and 2 vanishing eggs??

[angie3881]

Yesterday my broody hen hatched out 11 eggs. We transferred her from her spot into a large wire dog kennel to keep predators away. She had two eggs she was sitting on and today they were gone! No chick, no broken shells, nothing! The chicks are all fine and accounted for. Would the hen have eaten them? I don't think it was a predator because they are protected and whatever it was could have taken a chick or two... Ummmm

 

[Vora]

Is it possible that they hatched and something did reach a claw into the bars? Rats are pretty good at getting into dog kennels, or raccoons can get a paw in, too.

 

[nurse_turtle]

Mama ate 'em. When a broody has hatched her clutch, she will rid the immediate area of 'evidence'.

 

[angie3881]

I thought I had heard that. Thanks!!