Hen pecking at and eating eggs?

[ICE_Lilly]

We are about 24 days into letting her sit with no baby chicks hatching. We have lost 3 eggs in the last few days. Today I accidentally dropped one, but there wasn't anything but runny yolk inside (and it smelled bad!) She pecked one open the other day and there was mushy yellow in it and a developing chick inside (not sure how long in the process it was) and yesterday when I checked the eggs there was a cracked open egg and it was empty. (I'm guessing she ate whatever was inside) Is this normal? Is it bad for her since the eggs I'm sure are pretty rotten (since they smell bad when opened) Is it her way of knowing that they aren't living or going to hatch?? Thanks for any info you can pass along!

 

[sundance]

I'm losing eggs too, talked to the lady at the co-op where I buy my feed and she told me that as hot as it was here they probable needed more water, I try to keep the water dishes filled and fresh, but now Iguess I will add more dishes and keep them full too. But I really don't see what water has to do with them eating their eggs but its really getting to me, feeding like I do and then they eat the eggs, the eggs are mine to eat.not them. marrie

 

[keljonma]

I think the eggs weren't fertile, if all you had was the runny yolk. And it is possible the partial wasn't developing properly if you are really at day 24.

We let our JBG hen sit until day 26 (weren't 100% sure of date, so let it go a bit longer) and ended up putting day old chicks under her and removing the eggs. Can you get some day old chicks to put under your hen?