Broody hen got lost

[Gallus Sapien]

What should I do ? I have one hen 8mo. old that has been sitting for a week now, and when she got off today to do her thing another hen went into her box to lay. The broody hen then went into the box next to her, but has yet to return to her eggs (8 hours). Will all her time be a waste? Will she just start over? If so, will this just keep happening? What should I do?

 

[suebee]

Can't you put the 8 eggs under her in the new box? Make sure you mark them so you don't have new ones mixed in with the original 8.

 

[helomech]

That is why I separate my broody hens from the rest of the flock. I tried not seperating them, but they always got messed up. Now I have some wire cages that are just for broody hens.