Could my hen have eaten her chick?

[mothersin2ition]

We had a failed hatch this week. On day 21 I discovered two dead chicks, and one completely clean hatched eggshell, with NO chick to be seen anywhere. The rest of the eggs failed to hatch (I suspect mama was sitting on too many eggs and along with some other unfortunate circumstances, it caused them to quit developing). The thing Im curious about is what happened to that chick? THere was definitely a hatch- the shell was perfectly clean and zipped open. No blood to be seen. The chicken tractor where she sets is predator proof- no way for even a snake to get in. My husband thinks she may have eaten it? I was not under the impressions that hens would eat their young like some other animals will. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Opa]

It's a very real possibility that the hen killed and ate the chick.

 

[thornwing]

In the past I have had other hens or roosters peek their heads in, pull out the chick, and, disturbingly, run around the coop as if it were a tastey peice of food and try to protect it from others. Also, maybe it got burried under the hay or nesting materials? Also, maybe rats? Not sure

 

[mothersin2ition]

hmm interesting. Im pretty sure it wasnt buried in the shavings since we checked very thoroughly. I dont think a rat could have gotten in either. So strange! ?Thanks for the input though!