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[prof]

My orps eggs are due to hatch tomorrow.Today she was sat on her eggs and panting with her beak open so we thought it may be best to move her to encourage her to drink.

When we moved her we noticed that there was an egg missing?

It wasnt tucked under either wings and no where to be seen.

No sign of any shell at all either.

And no chick!

When the chicks hatch do the mums eat the shell? Im wondering if she has a chick which we havent seen tucked under her? I watched for any signs when she grumpily waddled back onto her nest but there was no signs of anything at all

[sjp]

it could have been a dud so she ate it . eggs are a very good source of protien and calcium as far as broody hens see it. it also stops any infections and parisites from spreading to the other eggs/hatchlings or alerting un-wanted vistors to the nest site if the egg is just kicked out of the nest a short distance. just good house keeping really

[Mollie333]

Rat? Panting can be due to stress, it would make sense, or she could of eaten it if it wasn't fertile.