Broody hen left nest for 20-30 minutes

[lavendermarie]

My broody hen left her nest to eat for about 20 or 30 minutes and it’s day one of her sitting on the eggs. Would this have killed the eggs, is there a chance of them being viable? Or should I take her eggs and replace them with some new ones? Thanks in advance!

 

[lavendermarie]

My broody hen left her nest to eat for about 20 or 30 minutes and it’s day one of her sitting on the eggs. Would this have killed the eggs, is there a chance of them being viable? Or should I take her eggs and replace them with some new ones? Thanks in advance!

There’s a chance it was a bit longer, but I think 20-30 minutes is pretty much accurate.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

20 Mins is normal and slightly longer wont hurt the eggs.

 

[lavendermarie]

20 Mins is normal and slightly longer wont hurt the eggs.

Okay thank you so much!

 

[theoldchick]

That's normal broody behavior. Unless the weather is freezing the eggs should be okay.

 

[sdm111]

My hens get off the nest for hours at a time literally 3 or 4 hours and they still hatch all the eggs

 

[lavendermarie]

That's normal broody behavior. Unless the weather is freezing the eggs should be okay.

Okay thank you so much! I was just concerned because I had to force my broody hen off her eggs last year to go eat!

 

[lavendermarie]

My hens get off the nest for hours at a time literally 3 or 4 hours and they still hatch all the eggs

Wow okay thank you so much!

 

[sdm111]

Wow okay thank you so much!

You're welcome they really are alot stronger than what you would think when reading. Half of these (2 clutches in there) the he. Was off for hours at a time

 

[lavendermarie]

You're welcome they really are alot stronger than what you would think when reading. Half of these (2 clutches in there) the he. Was off for hours at a time

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Wow! They’re so cute and that’s really reassuring so thanks again!