Broody Chicken Hatching Eggs

[Shadrach]

No...I've had to remove eggs in Staggered hatching or discard them because my Hens won't move. My Hens have all normally stayed the 48 or 72 hours trying to hatch so why I provide feed and water right close to Momma..

perhaps the hens here are more feral. They sit and hatch with free access to the outside.
Most get off the eggs and leave the nest once a day for food, water and very important it seems, a dust bath. None are kept in broody coops. I have had locked sitters once, or twice which I have had to remove from the nest a few times to get them into the habit of daily exercise. This is over perhaps 30 monitored sittings and hatches.

 

[chickens really]

perhaps the hens here are more feral. They sit and hatch with free access to the outside.
Most get off the eggs and leave the nest once a day for food, water and very important it seems, a dust bath. None are kept in broody coops. I have had locked sitters once, or twice which I have had to remove from the nest a few times to get them into the habit of daily exercise. This is over perhaps 30 monitored sittings and hatches.

Definitely every situation and care changes the outcome.

 

[Shadrach]

I would agree that after 72 hours I would definitely remove any unhatched eggs from the nest should I find that situation. I would probably consider it after 48 hours depending on the clutch size and the number of successful hatchings.
Fortunately it's not something I've ever had to do. Mum has always made the decision.

 

[chickens really]

@iBerth
Definitely do what you feel is needed and don't feel bad about any unhatched eggs...

 

[Molpet]

So far all my hens have left the nest with in 3 days to care for the chicks. eggs left or not.....I had 2 hens last year that left the nest with eggs, that were pipped, to care for the hatched chicks or poults. i put the eggs in the incubator or under another hen (who was due the next day) half of the eggs hatched and lived.
last year I lost count at 20 broodies... and the first ones were starting again

 

[Shadrach]

So far all my hens have left the nest with in 3 days to care for the chicks. eggs left or not.....I had 2 hens last year that left the nest with eggs, that were pipped, to care for the hatched chicks or poults. i put the eggs in the incubator or under another hen (who was due the next day) half of the eggs hatched and lived.
last year I lost count at 20 broodies... and the first ones were starting again

That is what I would consider normal behavior here. I think maybe the conditions the broody is kept in may influence their behavior. Most here are out and about in 24 hours from first hatch. the odd badly staggered hatches I have had haven't gone well for the late chicks.

 

[iBerth]

Thanks for everyone’s advice! Yesterday she finally left the nest, so I ditched the eggs!

You guys have been so helpful! I have another questions and wondered if any of you may know what this is.

One of my week old chicks from a different broody hen has a small lump on its neck, almost looks like a pimple. I was thinking fowl pox but I’m not sure.

It’s the only chick that has it right now! Thanks

 

[chickens really]

Pecked and an abscess or a larva in its neck?

 

[iBerth]

That’s a good thought, I’ll check again and see if there’s anything under the scab.

Then hen who hatched the chicks had fowl pox about 8 months ago. Would this spread to her chicks?

 

[chickens really]

That’s a good thought, I’ll check again and see if there’s anything under the scab.

Then hen who hatched the chicks had fowl pox about 8 months ago. Would this spread to her chicks?

Hmm? If healed up and not in the flock I don't think so unless it's a disease that can spread and remain dormant?