Hen ate her embryos

[Katina Hollman]

I have a broody hen that was sitting on eggs. Within the last week, I lost 3 of the 4 due to someone eating them overnight. Then last night the only baby/egg that made it to what should have been hatch day, was eaten as well. Now I have no eggs that I know are confirmed to be growing and I am back to square one. Has anyone ever had this happen before? I think I need to just get an incubator now and go that route. Advice? My chickens are fed 16% protein pellets, plus they free range daily.

 

[DobieLover]

Why do you think the hen ate them? Are she and her nest in a predator proof area?

 

[Katina Hollman]

Yes. I've never once in 3 years had any predators. They are up at night in a secured coop and run, and don't get let out til morning.

 

[Katina Hollman]

Anyone?

 

[Just Rosie]

I’ve never heard of chickens eating fertilized and growing chicks in eggs.

If it truly is your hen doing it, I would get that hen out of your flock, or at least find ways to stop her, as egg eating is both addictive and contagious to other members of the flock if not from a health reason.

But I also feel you shouldn’t rule out a predator, even if you’ve never had one.

Are you finding eggshells? Chick remains?

I did some quick research, there are some ways you can try and stop a hen from eating eggs. The most notable one was blowing out an egg (making a small hole to dump contents of egg) and fill it with mustard, because apparently chickens hate mustard! When she breaks open the egg, she will get a helping of the tangy yellow stuff instead of the yolky good stuff.

Do some studying yourself, as some of these solutions are keeper-specific, such as adding nest boxes or adding excitement for your hens every-day.

As for my personal solution: I don’t give my hens the chance. I collect daily and incubate/hatch my own eggs.