9 out of 10 eggs developing!!

[Gemleaf]

Guys, I'm so excited! I'm on day 7 of incubation under my broody hen Butterscotch and I just candled for the first time. 9 of my ten eggs are developing and I even got to see one of the chicks kick her legs inside the shell. The tenth egg was unfertilized. Butterscotch is a great mommy so far and I can't wait to meet my grandchickies. My only concern is that unless I make her, my hen will not get off the nest to eat, drink, or poop. I make her get off every couple of days to roam the yard for a couple of minutes. Is this safe for the eggs and at what point should I no longer move her?

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Congrats on your developing eggs

Are you sure she is not getting off when your not there? I had this happen but she was getting off when I wasn't looking. In the end I stopped worrying and let nature take its course.

Here's a good article on broodies ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens

Good luck

 

[Gemleaf]

Well, I figure that if she was getting off the nest I'd see poop in the hutch. It's always clean and the food and water level never decreases.