deformed prehatching chick

[Emma Bayley]

Hi everyone. I own three warrens, one of them is set tight on 5 creamlegbar now known to be fertilised eggs due to peep tomorrow/monday. This morning I had to remove a squashed egg with the chick dead inside. It was fully formed minus it's head. What I am asking is, is it possible broody knew it wasn't going to survive being hatched and killed it?. Has anyone had this happen before? This is my first time hatching eggs and I'm asking for advice. My hen is living in her own coop and run with her own supply of water and feed. Em x

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC. I order chicks from hatcheries. Here's a link where you can post your hatching/incubation questions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/5/incubating-hatching-eggs

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Momma's are pretty smart. From what I understand, they do know if something is wrong inside the eggs. I would think this would help in nature to only hatch healthy chicks. So I think you have a very good broody on your hands!

Good luck with your broody hatch and keep us posted!

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Sorry to hear you had that experience. Broodies in my experience sometimes break eggs accidentally (It actually happened to me again today), but I don't know that they will cull eggs. I've seen broodies kick out eggs that were completely fine and I've seen them break eggs that had 100% perfect chicks in. I've also seen them sit for weeks on infertile eggs. One of nature's mysteries.

 

[Emma Bayley]

Thanks for all the advice and ideas to what may of happened. I will start to worry less about the squished egg and just nature take its course over the next day or two x

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about the egg/chick, hope the rest of the hatch goes well.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[gander007]

 

[Emma Bayley]

[/IMG]hi every one! I hope I have uploaded these photos ok and you get to see them! Chicks are hatching! Em