Black Australorp broody

[MarlaMac]

So I have a broody momma who has been on the nest religously for 13 days. Today, it is nice outside @70 degrees (it has been in the 30s/40s) and I found her out with the flock. When I checked the eggs, the were cool, not cold, but cool. I took the opportunity to candle the eggs and four of the six have chicks in them. I scooped up broody and put her back on the nest; she complied.

Are the eggs still viable, even though they were allowed to cool a bit?

 

[nuthatched]

Probably, eggs are pretty resilient

 

[MarlaMac]

Probably, eggs are pretty resilient

Thanks. I guess I will find out in 8 days or so.

 

[SueT]

Hens do take a daily break from their eggs. Some incubators actually have a cool down cycle to mimic this. So a normal length absence somehow benefits the eggs.

 

[MarlaMac]

Hens do take a daily break from their eggs. Some incubators actually have a cool down cycle to mimic this. So a normal length absence somehow benefits the eggs.

Thank you.

 

[Sussex19]

They should be fine!

 

[MarlaMac]

So I have a broody momma who has been on the nest religously for 13 days. Today, it is nice outside @70 degrees (it has been in the 30s/40s) and I found her out with the flock. When I checked the eggs, the were cool, not cold, but cool. I took the opportunity to candle the eggs and four of the six have chicks in them. I scooped up broody and put her back on the nest; she complied.

Are the eggs still viable, even though they were allowed to cool a bit?

Yes to update you all - our four little babies are all alive and well this morning!