Mama chicken eating baby that just hatched

[bobbi-j]

I also think that the chick that got eaten was either dead or something wrong with it. Many animals will eat their babies if they are still born or they sense that something is wrong with them. Instinct, I suppose, to keep only the strongest alive, or to keep them from being found by predators. (Same reason live-bearing animals will eat their placenta after giving birth)

I generally don't mess with my broodies while they're hatching. I don't want to get them riled up, and possibly breaking eggs or killing newly hatched babies. (Would a hen eat a baby to "protect" it? I don't know, but it's a possibility - I've been told by friends that raise rabbits that they'll do that...)

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I also think that the chick that got eaten was either dead or something wrong with it. Many animals will eat their babies if they are still born or they sense that something is wrong with them. Instinct, I suppose, to keep only the strongest alive, or to keep them from being found by predators. (Same reason live-bearing animals will eat their placenta after giving birth)

I generally don't mess with my broodies while they're hatching. I don't want to get them riled up, and possibly breaking eggs or killing newly hatched babies. (Would a hen eat a baby to "protect" it? I don't know, but it's a possibility - I've been told by friends that raise rabbits that they'll do that...)

I didn't realize placenta eating was in part to avoid predation. Makes sense though.

I would think the chick could not have hatched dead, put possibly died there shortly after.

No more losses!

 

[carlf]

Placenta eating in mammals is also to give the mother a nutrient/energy boost after the stress of delivery.

 

[bobbi-j]

I didn't realize placenta eating was in part to avoid predation. Makes sense though.

I would think the chick could not have hatched dead, put possibly died there shortly after.

No more losses!

No - if the chick were dead, it would not have "hatched", but it's possible the hen may have broken the egg somehow and maybe killed the chick. Say, if she were moving or being moved in the nest and accidentally stepped on it or something. Hard to say without being there watching the process...