broody hen hatching?

[cowman910]

i have a broody hen

who is always sitting on eggs but i take them from her every day so she can eat/drink and get some fresh air. i am not sure if my rooster is fertilizing the eggs so i decided to let her keep one and turn it every day so i can candle it and see if it is/was fertile. if it is fertile and still alive should i let her keep it since i dont have an incubator? i am not sure if a chick will hatch

in my coop because i am worried

that the other chickens will eat the egg or the chick

 

[chicken_dude]

you should let her keep a clutch of 12 eggs and see what happens. if after a week the eggs dont look slick and shiny they will be okay to eat.

 

[SussexInSeattle]

OK I gotta know?!? Are the chickens sitting on the eggs and polishing them to pass the time? Why or how do they get slick and shiny???

 

[cowman910]

all the hens are doin is sitting on the eggs and turning them. i have seen them pick dirt of the eggs but thats about it