Egg Hatched but cant find the chick

[21hens-incharge]

Are there other hens with access to the coop?

As bad as it sounds it is not unheard of for non broody birds to steal, kill and eat newly hatched chicks.

 

[CrazyCochin]

I agree, and I thank you for all of your kind help. This is a first in all of the years we have bred chickens so it baffled me. I am going to have to watch these little buggers much much more carefully.

I hope it works out better in the future and this doesn't happen twice!

One suggestion though, if they brood on the bottom shelf, try taking some garden fence and make a small enclosure around the front of it!

 

[rebeccaH86]

I'm sure you probably already have but did you check this little gap under the shelf behind the ladder here? I hope you find the little one safe n sound .

 

[Davethebirdman]

Hi there,

Ok, I normally incubate but the past two years my girls have done the amazing work for me. I have 8 broody girls and they are all on eggs.
I went into the coop this evening and found a broken (in half and you can tell there was a chick once in there) egg but the chick is no where to be found.
Are they eating the chicks? Or????

This is a first for me over the years that we have been doing this and I am concerned.

Thank you for any feedback,
Raina

 

[Davethebirdman]

Maybe an animal got it.
Which is one reason why when my hens set,
I always remove them to a separate cage with the eggs and chicks for their safety. I NEVER leave them in the henhouse with chicks. I put them in cages so I can watch them. Love your birds!

 

[Rysktal]

My hens lost just hatched chicks to rats last year