Mystery needing solved.

[PNW_Peepers]

need help I figuring this out.
Put four eggs under broody

20 days later two babies are chirping.

We removed them (mom wasn’t keeping one warm enough) to find three eggs have hatched.

Meanwhile she’s still happily sitting on two eggs. She’s in a cage where no one can escape. I searched the whole thing, no sign of the hatched baby. What happened to it and how did my four eggs become five? What do I do now?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

How long was your broody actually broody before you put eggs under her? Was she always in a secure cage that no other chicken could get into? It may be possible she laid one final egg before going completely broody. Also did you pick up the mom and check under her wings for the third chick?

 

[PNW_Peepers]

She was officially broody three days before I gave her the eggs. She was always locked in the cage. I lifted mom up to remove the other two but didn’t open her wing to see if it was tucked in beside her

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

What color is the 5th egg?

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Blueish green.

 

[LaurEliz]

Definitely check under her wing. I've had chicks tucked safely under their mom's wing when I pick her up and seemingly "disappear." My guess would be that she laid the fifth egg at some point when you didn't know about it, but I can't say for sure. Is the fifth egg the right color to be hers?

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Checked her over completely. There’s no chick to be found! Could she have ate it?!??

 

[townchicks]

I do love a good mystery. Hope you find #3 alive and well.

 

[LaurEliz]

Checked her over completely. There’s no chick to be found! Could she have ate it?!??

I have heard of hens eating their chicks, but I have never experienced that with any of mine.

 

[LaurEliz]

If you think she may have eaten it, I would remove any other chicks as soon as they hatch, or, if possible, remove the eggs and put them in an incubator.