Broody ate babies?

[LegbarMama]

I have a buff orpington that has been sitting on eggs for 19 days. I went out to check on her this morning, as the eggs were supposed to start hatching today. 6 out of 7 eggs were gone, there were shells lying around like the babies had hatched but no babies in sight. One egg hadn't hatched (I just candled it and it didn't make it). I am assuming the other 6 hatched and got eaten. The broody is up walking around with the rest of the flock like nothing happened. Could she have ate the babies? There is absolutely nothing left of them, no feathers or fuzz, no bones, nothing except for the shells.

 

[sdm111]

I have a buff orpington that has been sitting on eggs for 19 days. I went out to check on her this morning, as the eggs were supposed to start hatching today. 6 out of 7 eggs were gone, there were shells lying around like the babies had hatched but no babies in sight. One egg hadn't hatched (I just candled it and it didn't make it). I am assuming the other 6 hatched and got eaten. The broody is up walking around with the rest of the flock like nothing happened. Could she have ate the babies? There is absolutely nothing left of them, no feathers or fuzz, no bones, nothing except for the shells.

Is there a way for something like a raccoon to get in?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Either something got to the eggs or they went bad or got smashed and the others ate them.

 

[LegbarMama]

Is there a way for something like a raccoon to get in?

Yes unfortunately she went broody in our barn which ain't closed up like our coop is at night. So that could be, but I wasn't sure if that would be the case since all the other chickens seem completely fine and we haven't had any raccoon problems in a long time. Also the mama is walking around like nothing happened. I would think she would be upset

 

[LegbarMama]

Either something got to the eggs or they went bad or got smashed and the others ate them.

Would they eat the whole baby, bones and all?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Would they eat the whole baby, bones and all?

when eggs go bad the chicks body starts to disintegrate into a liquidy mooshy mess. As far as how she is acting most broodies dont miss eggs. If the chicks hatched and were up and about then yes they would be upset. As far as an animal attack if you had that many eggs a smaller predator will always go for the easiest kill. They don’t want to work too much or risk too much. A clutch of eggs with developing chicks would be an easy meal with no risks and fill up something small so there would be no need to go after the rest of the flock. It could also explain why she didn’t acting broody anymore an animal attack can mess with the broody hormones and put her into fight or flight.

 

[Ridgerunner]

One hen would not eat 6 chicks, her crop and gizzard are not big enough to hold that many. My guess is that a raccoon, skunk, or possum ate the developing chicks and scared your broody off of the nest.

 

[LegbarMama]

Ok thank y'all for the info. I should have found a way to keep her locked up. I'll know better next time

 

[igorsMistress]

How often did you check on the eggs? It is entirely possible she ate them, just not likely all at once.

 

[LegbarMama]

How often did you check on the eggs? It is entirely possible she ate them, just not likely all at once.

The last time I checked was 2 days ago. They were all there and I candled them and they were all alive still