Hi all - I'm new to BYC. First flock of 6 layers raised from chicks just turned a year old. Spring arrived and I thought a nice day of pecking in the yard/woods would be appreciated, but flock was knocked down to 2 by mama fox. (I had only left the house for 1.5 hours!) So sad, but then when one of the 2 remaining girls went broody, I quickly found fertile eggs from neighbors and let her give it a go. Two days before hatch date, something was desperately trying to get in the coop. I thought they failed, and could find no point of entry (I am laughed at for the fortress I've built) but when I went to check her on "hatch day" all but 1 of the eggs was missing! Completely gone. Nothing. The remaining egg had a mostly-emerged but dead chick. Mama was still setting (did she smother it?), and remains on the nest today (2 days later). Questions: WHAT the heck could've taken the eggs? Did she eat them? and if she's still setting is it okay to restock with fertile eggs or is it too much to ask of her? Thanks in advance - all ideas/thoughts appreciated!
