Hi, one of my hens was broody so I let her sit on two eggs the results of which would have good homes.
Hatching day arrived and chick was talking and cheeping all going well. Hen protective and a diligent sitter.
Just went to see how it was getting on, and shell completely open, chick missing. Hen has tuft of fluff sticking to her beak. Then I see the chick damaged and away from mum.
Chick's abdomen not fully shut with yolk drawn in, so has been wrenched from shell too early. Peck mark on its head too.
No other creature has access to the nest.
I think it has pipped and was unzipping and the movement has triggered her and she's attacked it.
Very very sad result.
I know it's nature and nature can be cruel, but still, it was a perfect chick it's sad. I know this can be avoided with incubators but the rearing experience is do much better for the chick when they have a mum.
All my other herbs have been great mums, so never had this before. I won't let this one try again. She is a funny feisty sorry anyway, not the motherly type at all, I think her hormones put her in this position but she doesn't have the temperament for it.