Broke Brood Early

[YvonneCrzyChckn]

My hen was on day 18 of brooding, she's a silkie. Her name is Reese. Her sister Rose brought her 13 chicks up to Reese's nest, the next day Rose got herself a devoted Nanny and Reese only lays in her nest (in fact all 15 of them) lay in her nest at night Reese follows the babies around with Rose all day. My question is today is day 21 will the eggs still hatch if they were only laid on at night for the last 3 days?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

It sounds like the new babies broke her broodiness. If she is only setting on these eggs at night now, they will not hatch and will probably die in the shell. Chicks stimulate the mom to stop brooding eggs so she can concentrate on chicks even if they aren't hers. If you have an incubator, you might try finishing them off there, as long as the eggs haven't gone cold for too long.

Welcome to our community!

 

[N F C]

Hi, best wishes with your eggs. Thanks for joining!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. The Best of Luck with your Eggs. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska !

 

[Blue Raptor]

My hen was on day 18 of brooding, she's a silkie. Her name is Reese. Her sister Rose brought her 13 chicks up to Reese's nest, the next day Rose got herself a devoted Nanny and Reese only lays in her nest (in fact all 15 of them) lay in her nest at night Reese follows the babies around with Rose all day. My question is today is day 21 will the eggs still hatch if they were only laid on at night for the last 3 days?

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

The embryos have likely died. You can candle them to check.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Very likely they have died. If temperatures have not gotten too low there may still be a chance if they are placed in an incubator.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC!

 

[janiedoe]

Do you have an incubator or someone that will loan you the use of theirs?
If there are signs of life, and any hatch, your hen may still take them.
Good luck!