Broody ate chick?

[Letmepetyourdogs]

I have several broody hens right now and gave one (Cruikshanks) 13 eggs as a clutch to hatch. We are nearing the 21 day mark (should be tomorrow or Wednesday) and I came out to find a opened egg, with blood vessels dried to the inside of the shell… there is no chick to be found, and no trace that I can see without completely disturbing her, as I don’t want the remaining eggs to be moved. Was it an unviable egg that she recognized and dispatched, or did she just straight up eat the chick?

 

[laboroflove]

Do you have rats? That’s where my mind first went.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Have you stuck your hand under her? There maybe a chick that hatched, check between her wings also. From the way the egg was opened, looks like a complete zip ... You can stick you hand under & between her wings or just wait. Think someone hatched.

 

[Barnyardgroupie]

Have you stuck your hand under her? There maybe a chick that hatched, check between her wings also. From the way the egg was opened, looks like a complete zip ... You can stick you hand under & between her wings or just wait. Think someone hatched.

That’s my thought….

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Oh my goodnesss I hope not please check for the chick!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I agree that looks like a zip
I’m orating baby Is under her
I would try to look under her or feel around

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Would a mama hen even do that I feel like she wouldn't I go with the chick hatched and is under her or a rat ate it

 

[Letmepetyourdogs]

Do you have rats? That’s where my mind first went.

No, not that I am aware of! We do have giant rainbow skinks and snakes though. I came out this morning to 2 fully hatched and 2 pipping, so I think she was just hiding it really well! Thank goodness! She’s doing great!

 

[Letmepetyourdogs]

Have you stuck your hand under her? There maybe a chick that hatched, check between her wings also. From the way the egg was opened, looks like a complete zip ... You can stick you hand under & between her wings or just wait. Think someone hatched.

I briefly lifted her and didn’t hear or see anyone but this morning there were 2 hatched and 2 pipping, so I think she may have just had it hidden really well! I now have one that did not get its vent sealed properly and it is not doing the best. I moved it to the incubator bc she was pulling all the yolk and tissue out of its vent It’s got a lot of tissue trailing behind it, I can’t tel if it’s intestine or what. I really hope it pulls through.

 

[Letmepetyourdogs]

I agree that looks like a zip
I’m orating baby Is under her
I would try to look under her or feel around

I have two doing great, fully fluffed- she must’ve been hiding it really well