What the heck. My hen killed her chick

[Maka]

What is her breeding? That may have a little to do with it for the first try.

She is a speckled Sussex

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

My favorite broody was a Speckled Sussex! Her name is Duchess. I had to sell her but she was a great mama. Except for one time I tried to slip hatchery chicks under her after onlyna few of her eggs hatched. She was fine with them for a few hours overnight. Then in the morning I heard these panicked peeps and found her pecking the new babies right on the head! They went in a brooder in the garage and she raised her other babies just fine and more after.

 

[Maka]

My favorite broody was a Speckled Sussex! Her name is Duchess. I had to sell her but she was a great mama. Except for one time I tried to slip hatchery chicks under her after onlyna few of her eggs hatched. She was fine with them for a few hours overnight. Then in the morning I heard these panicked peeps and found her pecking the new babies right on the head! They went in a brooder in the garage and she raised her other babies just fine and more after.

I thought about slipping some chicks under her some months back. When she was broody the first time, But I’m so glad I didn’t. The eggs she was sitting on were not hers either they were a mix of 3 other hens. She didn’t lay any bc she was broody.
She is actually my first broody hen. But sounds like I need to wait for her to mature.

 

[Ridgerunner]

She ate her chicks head off.

I've had chickens kill other chickens. Once that was a broody that killed two of her chicks and not the other six. I've never seen one eat another's head off. They are not build to be able to chew or tear a head off. If they eat a chick it will be the whole body.

When they want to kill another chicken they peck the head. Basically they dig a hole into the brain which kills them. This includes killing baby chicks. If the chick died by its head being pecked it could have been the broody hen. But if the head was missing I'd strongly suspect something else, like a weasel or a rat.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I've had chickens kill other chickens. Once that was a broody that killed two of her chicks and not the other six. I've never seen one eat another's head off. They are not build to be able to chew or tear a head off. If they eat a chick it will be the whole body.

When they want to kill another chicken they peck the head. Basically they dig a hole into the brain which kills them. This includes killing baby chicks. If the chick died by its head being pecked it could have been the broody hen. But if the head was missing I'd strongly suspect something else, like a weasel or a rat.

That's why I asked about mice. Every case I've had mice get to chicks that I later find, they're missing their heads. Like a teeny tiny raccoon kill

 

[Maka]

I've had chickens kill other chickens. Once that was a broody that killed two of her chicks and not the other six. I've never seen one eat another's head off. They are not build to be able to chew or tear a head off. If they eat a chick it will be the whole body.

When they want to kill another chicken they peck the head. Basically they dig a hole into the brain which kills them. This includes killing baby chicks. If the chick died by its head being pecked it could have been the broody hen. But if the head was missing I'd strongly suspect something else, like a weasel or a rat.

We don’t have weasels or rats. Due to the cats. She definitely pecked the head off. And I didn’t see it at all in the coop. So I assumed she ate it. I’ve seen hens eat whole frogs so I’m sure a head is no issue. I’ve seen them eat things whole and peck them apart.

The worst predator we have out here are dogs and cats. I’m very certain it was not a predator. As I said. I would have rather it been the case. There are really no places for cats to slip in.

I do believe I let her mother before she was ready as she is a young hen.

 

[Maka]

I forgot to add we don’t have weasels here! So I’m lucky

 

[FunClucks]

My first broody was an awesome mom! My second... was not. First broody has raised two batches of chicks so far, second will not be allowed to sit again. You never know until you try how they will be. First broody was middle/bottom of the flock, but with her first clutch she took on the entire flock including the head hen and won while protecting her chicks. Same great behavior with her second clutch.

Second broody allowed all the other chickens to still push her around even when she should have been protecting her babies from them. Another chicken picked up her chick by its toes, and it was panicking and calling for help, and second broody did nothing. (chick was ok) So no more babies for her.

 

[Maka]

She would totally be pushed around by the other hens. So I was able to build a little nursery around her nest. And that stopped the issue while she nested. This is the second time she has gone broody this year. Now that I have taken her eggs she is no longer broody. lol. It was a one day transition.

 

[FunClucks]

She would totally be pushed around by the other hens. So I was able to build a little nursery around her nest. And that stopped the issue while she nested. This is the second time she has gone broody this year. Now that I have taken her eggs she is no longer broody. lol. It was a one day transition.

One day transition? That tells me maybe her hormones weren't as strong as they should've been. I've known hens that would find other nests and start sitting on them once their own eggs were removed. Some would even sit on rocks, or on nothing with dogged persistence for weeks. That compulsion to sit with a good broody is high! Letting the others push her around while broody is another clue that her hormones may have not been as strong as they should have been - good broodies are notoriously aggressive towards others in protection of their chicks and nest, even if they were somewhat docile when not broody.

My best broody is a starlight green egger, a breed that's not even supposed to go broody. I also had a good broody Prairie Bluebell, who is also not supposed to go broody. My buff orpingtons refused to sit. My FBCM was my bad broody. It all really depends on the individual chicken as well as their breed. So there is hope one of your others will try. Chickens are weird!