Broody broke egg, day 17 tried to eat chick!

[zookeeper15133]

I had 3 broody hens on 12 eggs. This afternoon one brought a broken egg out into the run and was trying to eat it. They are due to hatch Wed night, Thur morning. The poor baby died in my hand. It seemed normally developed. Why would she do that? I took her out and the other 2 have the rest of the eggs.

 

[bantyshanty]

I wish I had an answer for you.

Sorry for that little chick! I have had a couple broodies who freaked out last minute and tried to kill their chicks, and one who walked off at Day 18. Maybe your broody was doing the former thing, but a little early. Hormone levels not high enough, stress due to weather or other broodies, etc. Could another chicken have cracked it open and then she was trying to eat it, I wonder?

 

[zookeeper15133]

They have broken other eggs fighting over them, but not since I moved then to their own coop.