Cannibal broody

[steelersfan43]

I don't understand why you would take the chance and sneak babies in. I wouldnt let her have any at all. You know whats best for you and I do hope things work out well for you with whatever you decide. Good luck.

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

Yeah it is not normal at all. One of my hens will sit on an egg till they start rolling around getting ready to hatch and she'll peck the egg open
and eat the chicks. I don't let her get broody nor do I hatch from her either. She kinda got dumped from pet status to egg hen.

It's sad, sorry.

 

[zoomia]

Quote:
Thanks for the feedback and the definitive NO.

That's exactly what I was looking for. Hatching is supposed to happen on Sunday--I'll see what happens. And if there's nothing and she stays broody, I'll follow the various instructions on this board to break her of the broodiness.

 

[Egg_newton]

It happens all the time in nature. Mamma cats, dogs, mice, lions, etc have been known to eat their young sometimes. I had pet mice when I was younger. I found a half eaten baby in the cage and was totally freaked. I was watching Big Cat Diaries on Animal Planet the other day. A lion cub was killed by a male lion and then the mother lion ate the poor little guy. It's sad to us but it happens all the time. Granted if something were to happen to my baby or if I was starving to death I still wouldn't make her into a meal.

 

[IggiMom]

Quote:
I liked the title. The pix had a EWWW! factor to it.

Imp- pretty sure I won't be eating eggs tonight.

I know! I should probably edit the first post with a warning disclaimer.

I tell you, I really hated having to pick that egg up when I threw it away. One little leg was dangling out of the shell and it was about two and a half weeks developed.

Awww. You know, I candled before lockdown yesterday and then did an eggtopsy on the four I didn't think were good.

Sure enough, one that I thought was dead was. So there is that pitiful little chick.

Perhaps your broody was too enthusiastic in helping to pip?

Catherine

 

[zoomia]

Update!!

Poor maligned Henzilla. I have been thinking she's a cannibal, and making everyone on the Internet think it too!

Two eggs hatched yesterday. (This is all I think is going to hatch.) She is very gentle with the chicks--and very protective of them as well (she practically attacked the camera). So on that particular egg, I'm going with accident/helping to pip/weird thing that happened and I will never know.

Here's a pic:

 

[Imp]

Congratulations

Imp

 

[zoomia]

Hey all, just thought I'd give an update. Two baby chicks are doing just fine, and Henzilla has proven that she's a good mama.

Here's a vid from when they were just hatched:

And here they are as of yesterday:

It is so sweet to watch how protective she is.

 

[HensHaven]

After everything she seems fine with them. I love how they follow her around.

 

[vnploveschickens]

Thanks for sharing, zoomia. The chicks are sure little cutie pies! And Henzilla seems to be a good mom too!