March 28th.....

[Jerrymac]

Well the other egg was dead. There was a partially developed chick in there. It seemed she had lost interest in it as it had felt cool all day as though she had bot been staying on top of it to keep it warm.

[Natalie]

She probably knew it wasn't going to happen. Its a bummer when they start to develop like that it then quit.

I am happy for your hatch rate and how well it went. Congratualtions!! Lets hope they aren't all roosters now. ;)

[Jerrymac]

If one of the little ones got out of the nest would the others have disposed of it? I am missing one. Gone without a trace.

[Natalie]

jerry, really look around hard, they are so tiny its easy to miss them hiding in corners.
But, yes the other older hens from the flock will peck a chick to death for no reason at all.
Are they in the same coop as everyone else or are they isolated?

[Jerrymac]

After figuring out the little guy must have fallen out they are now in a water trough with the hen. With a screened top. I am wondering if I should let the mother out and put up the heat lamp. Relieve her of the motherly duties.

[Natalie]

I would go by her behavior but they usually raise the chicks for a while, your hen really wanted to be a mama so she will most likely want to raise her babies.
She may want to get out and stretch her legs or gossip with the other hens on occasion.
I doubt she will leave her babies too long though.
Eventually she will show her babies around the coop and yard and the ways of the chicken world until they are old enough to do their own thing.
When they feel the babies are old enough to handle life sometimes the mother will start chasing them off when the younguns cling to much.
Did you ever find the little one that fell out?

[Jerrymac]

Nope. That one is gone.  :'(

[Natalie]

Bummer, even if the older chickens don't get it the poor thing will freeze without its momma.
Well, you can't win them all and you have had awesome luck with this hatch so far.

[Brian D. Bray]

If one of the little ones got out of the nest would the others have disposed of it? I am missing one. Gone without a trace.

Snake, rat, or raccoon.  All will steal an egg or young chick right from under a mother hen.  I've had it happen a few times with my pigeons.  The rats will climb over 10 feet in the air to steal a baby bird for dinner.