Is 2hrs too long

[LCsAChickenLover]

I purchased and put hatching eggs under one of my broody gals yesterday that are due to hatch around 8/2. I also got some day old chicks for another broody. Both gals took on what I gave them and were doing their thing, in separate coops

I left the house for 2 hours and when I checked on mama with eggs she wasn’t on her nest! They were still kind of warm to the touch, so in a panic I stuffed them under the mama who has the chicks. She happily tucked them underneath her

I’m worried for one, the eggs got too cool, secondly will she continue to sit on them for another 4 days or so

This is my first attempt with hatching eggs and I really hope this all works out

Is there anything else I can or should do? Thanks for reading

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Are you sure she wasn’t taking a quick break? They will get up to eat, drink and stretch their legs. Either way 2 hours will not affect anything.

 

[LCsAChickenLover]

Are you sure she wasn’t taking a quick break? They will get up to eat, drink and stretch their legs. Either way 2 hours will not affect anything.

Ok I’m glad the few hours didn’t hurt anything. Good point, I’m not sure how long she had been off her. I did try to get her back on the nest before I moved the eggs, but she seemed uninterested so I panicked

Should I move a few back?

 

[aart]

I left the house for 2 hours and when I checked on mama with eggs she wasn’t on her nest!

How long had this hen been broody(on the nest all night and most the days)?

 

[Debbie292d]

I purchased and put hatching eggs under one of my broody gals yesterday that are due to hatch around 8/2. I also got some day old chicks for another broody. Both gals took on what I gave them and were doing their thing, in separate coops

I left the house for 2 hours and when I checked on mama with eggs she wasn’t on her nest! They were still kind of warm to the touch, so in a panic I stuffed them under the mama who has the chicks. She happily tucked them underneath her

I’m worried for one, the eggs got too cool, secondly will she continue to sit on them for another 4 days or so

This is my first attempt with hatching eggs and I really hope this all works out

Is there anything else I can or should do? Thanks for reading

When your hen comes back, she'll go to that empty nest, so I'd be ready to put them back. I've had a hen be off for 3-4 hours. She was having so much fun free-ranging, I thought she had forgot, but she went back. They were fine. Yours should be okay. If this was winter, I'd think not so great, but when it's warm outside, they aren't cooling off that much really.

 

[LCsAChickenLover]

How long had this hen been broody(on the nest all night and most the days)?

She’s been very dedicated for about 2.5 weeks, only leaving the nest morning and evening unless I picked her up and out

 

[LCsAChickenLover]

When your hen comes back, she'll go to that empty nest, so I'd be ready to put them back. I've had a hen be off for 3-4 hours. She was having so much fun free-ranging, I thought she had forgot, but she went back. They were fine. Yours should be okay. If this was winter, I'd think not so great, but when it's warm outside, they aren't cooling off that much really.

I put a 2 fake eggs in her box and I’m watching to see if she decides to sit again. If she does I’ll give them back to her. Up until today she has been very dedicated to her nest so hopefully she steps back up to motherhood