6 month old hen found sitting on 20 eggs

[MrsLeyva]

Hi everyone,
I've recently started working and have left the responsibility of my chickens to my husband and boys. Well I guess they didn't notice that one of our hens had been missing for awhile, because my neighbor informed me yesterday that he found her under his tree while watering laying on a bunch of eggs. I went to check and sure enough there she was sitting on 21 eggs. This is our first time having chickens and now I feel lost.I don't know how long she has been missing ( I've been working for a month now) and I'm feeling horrible. I moved her and her eggs to a small coop but since she's so young would the eggs be viable? Should I build her a coop away for the rest of the flock (6 hens and 6 roosters)? I need help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lazy gardener]

Is she still on the eggs after moving her? The next time she gets off the eggs for a bite to eat, you might sneak a couple out of the nest, and take them inside to candle them. That should give you an idea of how they're doing, and how soon they are likely to hatch. At the top of the screen, there is a search bar. You can enter any chicken related topic or question, and it will take you to lots of threads dealing with your issue. That should be helpful. There's also lots of info in the learning center about candling eggs, dealing with a broody, raising chicks with a broody, what to do if the broody quits before incubation finished, or even if she's not a good mama. Also, how to ensure that she or her chicks integrate back into the flock well.