Missing babies

[Cric63]

Twice since I have been raising chickens a baby has hatched but is no where to be found. There is no way one can escape from the broody house. Nothing gets in and nothing gets out. WHERE DO THEY GO? Will the momma hen eat them if they are not viable after birth? I can't even find any sign of it being there except the empty egg.

 

[All4Eggz]

I’m sorry to hear that.
Are they buried in the bedding?
I’ve never seen or heard of a momma hen eating chicks, but I wouldn't throw that idea out completely- I’ve seen a hen gobble down a frog in one bite.

 

[SilverBirds]

Did you look under mama? Sometimes they will bury themselves underneath her or in her wings. What does your broody setup look like?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Buried in the bedding would be my guess too.. I've seen grown hens fight over chicks and step on them in the process.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Yes, I have found chicks squished flat and buried under a large layer of bedding. Often by a first time broody dust bathing.

 

[3KillerBs]

Could a snake get in?

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

It wouldn't matter after it got the chick it couldn't get out.