AmberLittlejohn
Songster
My old English bantam Orpington mixed hen has always been a great mom but she's showing concerning behaviors this season. She's been sitting for 24 days on about 22 eggs from herself and other hens. We've had 6 chicks hatch. One became shrink wrapped and died. I suspect she pecked it as it was piping. 4 more hatched on day 22. She kicked a small black one out of the nest..I caught it just in time. When I found it it was cold but is now thriving after being put under the heat lamp. I took all 4 from her because I was concerned she might hurt them. We had one hatch yesterday but I let her have it. Today it's gone with no sign of it. I have her locked in the duck's nesting box because it's very roomy and insulated. Other chickens have been trying to get in there and I didnt want any incidents. There's food and water inside. I think she ate it. There's an empty shell but no chick. I haven't candled the remaining eggs but she's still broody. Why did she eat it? Do I kick her off the eggs? I'm scared she's gonna kill any more that hatch
and I don't have an incubator.
