Hen off eggs for how long?

[Mace Gill]

Not only can they be discarded but Chicks die in them---the chicks that were some-what Incubated die. You do not have to allow that---learn what to do so Chicks that are not quiet ready to hatch don't have to die. Staggered hatches Don't have to happen---you just got to learn what to do so it does not happen.

This comment was referring to the clutch of four eggs that probably isn't staggered. I'd say the odds are good for a good hatch of the remaining three.

The clutch of 12 or 13 could've been prevented ... that many eggs and staggered too long will mean under developed chicks that are likely already passed on. If she has no incubator, and the hen can't sit any longer, yes the tragic end is the possibility of potentially viable chicks not surviving.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Not only can they be discarded but Chicks die in them---the chicks that were some-what Incubated die. You do not have to allow that---learn what to do so Chicks that are not quiet ready to hatch don't have to die. Staggered hatches Don't have to happen---you just got to learn what to do so it does not happen.

If she leaves any eggs, I'll put them under another broody (who's sitting on an empty nest) just to be sure.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

This comment was referring to the clutch of four eggs that probably isn't staggered. I'd say the odds are good for a good hatch of the remaining three.

I think all of the eggs were laid within a day or two of each other.

 

[starrmar006]

There are far too many variables to know how long she can be off the nest without affecting the chicks. I'd just leave her be, and let Nature take its course. Chickens instinctively know far more about hatching and being chickens than we do.


After day 24, I'm thinking you should just discard the eggs. Give her a break, and if she goes broody again, mark the eggs you want her to hatch, or segregate her from the flock.


This ^^^^



Hard to say. Again, there are several variables that can come into play. Potentially, you could end up with 13 chicks. The chances of a 100% hatch, in my opinion, are far better under a broody in natural conditions than in an incubator.


I wouldn't suggest doing this. You've been wanting to hatch chicks for months. I would think that messing with them within the egg would reduce their chances of hatching. Leave them be, let them hatch, and enjoy them. Also, I wouldn't mess with the broody every day. If she's separated from the flock, you need to make sure she has food and water, but I wouldn't pick her up or bother her in any way. That could break her broodiness. If she's with the flock, then you will need to look under her JUST ONCE A DAY to make sure there are no extra eggs. Good luck! Let us know how many hatch!

Thankyou for the advice!!!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

This is a fast moving thread. Let's see how far behind I am when I finish typing.

When I was a kid we had a broody hen hide a nest and hatch 18 chicks. We never found her nest so I don't know how many eggs she had to start with. Hens and eggs both come in different sizes. Some hens can cover and hatch a lot of eggs, some not so many. I normally put 12 eggs under a broody but I've had some that could only cover 10. Thirteen eggs may be a lot or maybe not, depends on the size of the hen and the size of the eggs.

I've seen hens stay off the nest for about 15 minutes once a day in cooler weather. I've seen hens stay off the nest for more than an hour at a time twice a day. Both had good hatches. I had a hen go back to the wrong nest after her daily break. I don't know how long she was off the nest but the eggs were really cold to the touch when I put her back on them. She hatched 11 out of 11. So I agree with Bobbi, let her hatch and see what happens.

When a chick internal pips it starts talking to Momma. You can sometimes hear the chirps, especially in an incubator. The hen can hear them fine under her. That way the hen knows another chick is on the way and should not abandon the nest too early. Some hatches are over within 24 hours of the first one pipping, some can drag on for over two full 24 hour days. Since the hen knows what is going on much better than I do I leave her alone and let her make the decisions, like when the hatch is over.

It doesn't matter when the egg is laid it matters when incubation starts. I collect all the eggs I want her to hatch and give them to her at the same time to avoid a staggered hatch. I mark them and check once a day after the others have laid and remove any new eggs after she starts on them.

 

[Mace Gill]

This is a fast moving thread. Let's see how far behind I am when I finish typing.

When I was a kid we had a broody hen hide a nest and hatch 18 chicks. We never found her nest so I don't know how many eggs she had to start with. Hens and eggs both come in different sizes. Some hens can cover and hatch a lot of eggs, some not so many. I normally put 12 eggs under a broody but I've had some that could only cover 10. Thirteen eggs may be a lot or maybe not, depends on the size of the hen and the size of the eggs.

I've seen hens stay off the nest for about 15 minutes once a day in cooler weather. I've seen hens stay off the nest for more than an hour at a time twice a day. Both had good hatches. I had a hen go back to the wrong nest after her daily break. I don't know how long she was off the nest but the eggs were really cold to the touch when I put her back on them. She hatched 11 out of 11. So I agree with Bobbi, let her hatch and see what happens.

When a chick internal pips it starts talking to Momma. You can sometimes hear the chirps, especially in an incubator. The hen can hear them fine under her. That way the hen knows another chick is on the way and should not abandon the nest too early. Some hatches are over within 24 hours of the first one pipping, some can drag on for over two full 24 hour days. Since the hen knows what is going on much better than I do I leave her alone and let her make the decisions, like when the hatch is over.

It doesn't matter when the egg is laid it matters when incubation starts. I collect all the eggs I want her to hatch and give them to her at the same time to avoid a staggered hatch. I mark them and check once a day after the others have laid and remove any new eggs after she starts on them.

And why? Because we human-folk have been over thinking as usual. Chicken-folk know what to do.

Thank you for this post!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I mark them and check once a day after the others have laid and remove any new eggs after she starts on them.

What do you mark them with? I guess a Sharpee type marker is a no no.

 

[bobbi-j]

I've gotta say - I love it when RR posts. They're always so informative, and I think I learn something new every time. Thanks, Ridgerunner! I have learned so much from you!

 

[PD-Riverman]

I think all of the eggs were laid within a day or two of each other.

A hen will have a better hatch if ALL the eggs are set under her at the exact same time---not some added a day or two later or 3 later. Example---If a egg is just added one day later---one day---its a staggered hatch set-up---with everything is going normal its going to hatch a day after the others. The others are dry---wanting to go get some food, If Momma gets off the nest---the chick that hatched a day later strength is not built up so it gets left---alot of times---and dies because it can not Keep up----Thats What I am Saying. A staggered Hatch Is Not Good and for sure does Not turn out good most of the time.
I personally with what most of you know---67 chicken pens, hundreds of hens have NEVER allowed a staggered hatch---All my broodies(72 in 2015 alone) have great hatches and I do not have to grab eggs and go put them under another broody hen or put them in a incubator or just let the unhatched die---I just do not let it happen, BUT that's everyone else's call if you want too!!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I didn't put anything under the hen. I let them take care of everything. This hen was really good. I knew she was going to be successful because she was really committed. Hardly moved. So I bet that she sat on 4 eggs from day one.

But I have learned that I need to mark eggs as soon as I detect a broody because other hens will add eggs to her nest (when the broody gets up for something).