My hens keep eating unborn chicks!!

[thealeycat]

I have a couple hens who are eating there eggs that still have chicks growing ? I know if they eat their eggs it's a calcium deficiency but I give them crushed oyster shells and layena feed on top of that I just don't understand why their eating the unborn chicks ?

 

[goldfinches]

Are they sitting on the eggs, broody, trying to hatch them, but then eating them instead?

 

[3riverschick]

Hi
Some hens just aren't good mothers. Why not just get
an incubator instead of trying to rehab them? I had a
very nice lady loan me an extra one for this hatching
season. Have you checked on your State or local BYC
list to see if anyone can help? Many people have
already finished hatching for the year so maybe
some available.
Best,
Karen

 

[Fancychooklady]

Sounds like you need to increase the protein in your hens diet.

 

[Folly's place]

Good mothering is very much a heritable trait. I wouldn't want to raise chicks from parents showing poor behavior, unless the chicks were all meant for the pot. I value my good broody hens and polite roosters; they are going to have long productive lives here. A good environment is vital; If the broody is too stressed things will go wrong. The diet sounds fine, although some game bird feed might help too. My birds free range, so they get worms, bugs, and plants also. Mary

 

[Fancychooklady]

Which layena pellets are you feeding?

 

[Folly's place]

Is another bird breaking the eggs? If the broodies are separated from the flock, then she's not doing well. If other birds can get into the nest, eggs will break and eating will occur. Mary