Chickens ate chick.

[minichicks05]

This is a graphic forum. For older eyes only!
Last night my 11 year old daughter was with her baby sitter and was closing up our barn. She did NOT close the door to the broody section.When she was done playing with them.Which is open to the older hens.
So I went into to see everyone and this is really REALLY GROSS. There is a baby chick one the floor decapated. NO HEAD!!! The poor baby the mom didn't even watch the baby. Is it even safe to eat eggs from the other laying hens? I am kinda grossed out to eat eggs at the moment. What should I tell my daughters as it was there FAVORITE chick. Should I punish my 11yr old? Thanks for any suggestions!!!

 

[nchls school]

This is a graphic forum. For older eyes only!
Last night my 11 year old daughter was with her baby sitter and was closing up our barn. She did NOT close the door to the broody section.When she was done playing with them.Which is open to the older hens.
So I went into to see everyone and this is really REALLY GROSS. There is a baby chick one the floor decapated. NO HEAD!!! The poor baby the mom didn't even watch the baby. Is it even safe to eat eggs from the other laying hens? Yes. More than likely the hens did not recognize the chick as a chick, but just as another morsel of food. Remember, chickens are not the brightest light in the house. I am kinda grossed out to eat eggs at the moment. What should I tell my daughters as it was there FAVORITE chick. Sorry Honey, your favorite chick died. Should I punish my 11yr old? Absolutely not. In a day or so talk to her about the importance of keeping the door closed and what MIGHT happen if left open. Thanks for any suggestions!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens are omnivores and eat mice and frogs and pretty much anything they can. The hen doesn't rationalise out what she's doing. I've had cats eat their kittens, it happens in most species. Don't eat the eggs for a week or two if it grosses you out. I have read many posts of people feeding left over chicken to their chickens.

I would explain to your daughter what happened and that's why it's important that she does the responsible thing. It a very good way to learn a valuable lesson.

 

[minichicks05]

Ok I will. I am just mad at the babysitter I told her to make SURE there door was closed.
But I understand accidents happen. Will there be like a head in there poo because I cant find the head.
Is it possible for the hen to get sour crop or a crop issue?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

When chickens try to eat something larger they flip it back and forth violently in their beaks trying to break smaller pieces off. It's possible the head went flying off somewhere and you haven't found it, it will dry up and almost be unrecognizable. A chicks head is a pretty big swallow, so I wouldn't be certain someone actually ate it. Also was the chick out overnight? Something else might have ate it's head off, like a rat or cat.

 

[minichicks05]

I dont know if it was left out overnight I just walked in see s dead chick and a door open.
We do have mice in are barn but I don't think rats. Could a mouse have done something?
But then again I am pretty sure it was a chicken as its body was under there roosts.
Its really sad... poor baby... She will probably have so many friends in Heaven

 

[dolly85]

Chickens will eat anything, including a baby chick. I've had a similar accident happen with mine. I think losing the chick is punishment enough for your daughter and a good life lesson she won't forget. Sorry for your loss!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thinks happen in chicken keeping, I have been the cause of many things set in motion that eventually caused an animals demise, never intentional, chicks hop out of nests, predators snatch them, things get missed sometimes, doors get slammed at the wrong moment, I could go on. We can't predict everything, but can learn something each time. Life doesn't often care about an individual, humans do. Sorry, it is hard for both you and your daughter, hopefully the rest are doing okay.

 

[minichicks05]

Yes they are fine she is still sad but understands. She now made a sign to make sure to close the door

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is a hard lesson, I'm still sorry for her though.