Chicks Disappearing!

[AidKD]

So I've had a hen who's been sitting on her eggs. Out of the 4 thats hatched only 1 has survived do to her not being very careful and crushing them.She is a very good mama aside from that. Well, I noticed early this morning that another chick was hatching, and then later noticed the egg shell laying around as it had obviously hatched. The mama was sitting there not moving with the already hatched chick and so I assumed the just hatched chick. I decided not to move her to check as I didn't want her reajusting and stepping on the freshly hatched chick. Well, I went out just a little while ago to check on them and the baby is nowhere to be found! I checked around and under things and it's just gone! I don't think that she would have eaten it because she's always been very protective of her eggs and chicks and is just a good mama all around. This is her second time being broody. Does anyone have any ideas? This is seriously baffling to me!

 

[Sussex19]

Are you sure that the chick isn't just very well hidden up under the hens wings and fluff?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I hatched out my chicks in incubator, and after 2 days i gave them to a hen. One did get squished because of the nest box, now they are on the floor of a coop, separate from all the others.

When chicks are brand new they are all wet and squishy. If she stepped on one, (and I know this is gross to say, but guts out) She may just view it as food. My hen here didn't eat the chick she squished. But at a couple days, if they get stepped on they can complain and the mother may move off, but if she steps on a new chick they may not even be able to peep, or struggle if stepped on. I see this hen taking good care now.

Another benefit of giving the chick a couple days old is you can teach them to eat, and they can go to her with a full belly. not to mention being on their feet.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Sorry to hear that you lost a hatchling.

Is your broody in a secure setting, or could some type of predator have gotten to the chick? There are a number of animals that could squeeze through even very small openings.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

If the chick got through the wire (I've had one get through 1"x2" wire), it would be easy pickings for predators. The chick I had that escaped through the 1"x2" wire was taken by a hawk that was lurking around, just waiting for an opportunity.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

I have lost chicks, even in daylight, to rats. They snag the chicks right out from under the hens.

 

[Sussex19]

Will the baby be dead if so @Sussex19?

Not necessarily. It is a long shot, but worth checking.

 

[The Birb King]

Did you ever find it?

 

[AidKD]

Did you ever find it?

Nope, I have no idea what happened to it. The only thing that I can think that happened is the mama ate it

 

[The Birb King]

Nope, I have no idea what happened to it. The only thing that I can think that happened is the mama ate it

I all the broody hens I've ever had have been good mothers. That's unfortunet you never found it