baby chicks killed by mamma hen

[Coomlins48]

Can any one tell me why a mamma hen would do this to her chicks , this is her third lot of babies and is usually a good mamma .
Two babies hatched in the night , found dead in the morning , day earlier egg pecked open baby dead inside , upset me greatly , as she is a docile bantam , we love to hear the cause of this !
thanks

 

[orloffer]

Some hens just don't accept the chicks as theirs, and instead see them as a threat. Are your eggs all the same age, or are they separated by a day or more?

 

[Coomlins48]

Thanks for your reply , the eggs were laid daily and when she had a clutch of 10 she settled to nest

 

[orloffer]

I am not experienced with broody hens/hatching, but I know that sometimes eggs that hatch "too late" (according to the hen) are not accepted. Perhaps someone with more expertise will come to help you...

 

[Coomlins48]

Thank you !