Broody Safe Zone

[sane cat lady]

I have two Black English Orpington Pullets both 20 weeks old and a few chicks in my brooder, next year my plan is to put hatching eggs under one of my hens when she (hopefully) goes broody. What I am wondering is once a hen goes broody how long do I have to get eggs under her before I run the risk of problems? from what I understand a broody will sit on eggs for only about 21 days before abandoning them so I assume that I will not have much leeway.

There is a local breeder from whom i may purchase my eggs but if there is a fairly decent safe zone I may consider ordering eggs online.

 

[Whittni]

Some hens are more broody than others. Some will wait to hatch eggs forever and some are impatient. The eggs themselves take about 21 days to hatch, I think that's what you read. When you notice a broody hen, just get some eggs for her as quickly as you can and she should just hatch them out.

Good luck!