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!

 

[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.

 

[AidKD]

Thank you! The only thing I could think of would be a mouse, but that also wouldn't make sense, since my chickens will eat mice. They're in a little dog type cage with the bars being about an inch apart. I checked all around though and couldn't find it laying anywhere.

 

[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]

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

 

[LTAY1946]

My guess is a rat or snake.

 

[AidKD]

We do have hawks, but the thing is that all of the chickens have been around each other all day and the roosters are very vigilant. We don't have any rats or snakes either. I'm gonna check up under her next. Will the baby be dead if so @Sussex19?

 

[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?