broody hen got up... are the eggs still good. NEED ADVICE, PLEASE.

[kingpartyof5]

I left eggs in the coop this week on Monday hoping to encourage a hen to sit on them. One of my BA's started sitting yesterday (Tues) afternoon around 5-6pm. She was still on them at 9:45pm. I went out at 7 this morning and she was on the roost. It is now 3:30 and the eggs are still out there. Are they okay to eat? Does anyone think she may try again? Should I swap out the eggs for fresh ones? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[ralleia]

They should be fine to eat, but they're not fine to incubate. One should only give eggs to a bird that ALREADY broody, not the other way around. Give her some wooden or plastic eggs to practice with, not eating eggs!

Here's a great, verbose source about getting a hen to brood eggs: http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

 

[Silkie Sue]

the eggs should still be ok.
if a hen did not lay the eggs herself she is probably not in " the zone"
the fact that she did sit on them for a while is promising but she may or may not go full blown broody.
only time will tell, i'd keep an eye on her for another day or 2.

 

[kingpartyof5]

She was one of six who laid the eggs. The first day I placed them in the same nest box. The second day, they all laid in the same box. There were 10 eggs and 4 wooden duds. She even pulled all the duds under her after a few hours. She was pretty feisty and squawked like never before.
I will collect the eggs, put the duds in one box and see how it goes.