Broody hen, missing

[MysteryChik]

I am so new to all of this. If she laid while weaning, I am assuming that even IF they were fertile (they are not) they can lay them, and not sit constantly . then set on them, and they will all hatch? if that makes sense?

 

[MysteryChik]

The others are too young to start laying. She must have laid all the eggs while weaning her chicks and then disappeared to go broody again. You have a good mama hen there.

I am so new to all of this. If she laid while weaning, I am assuming that even IF they were fertile (they are not) they can lay them, and not sit constantly . then set on them, and they will all hatch? if that makes sense? I think I just don't understand anything about all of this lol. I don't even think I know (or understand) the true definition of Broody. All I know is she came with 11 chicks to begin with. was GREAT . very protective. then started weaning them. about a week after we saw her weaning she laid one egg in the coop. We got it, then next day.. she disappeared.. nineteen days later.( today, )we find fourteen eggs.. so when COULD she have started laying them where we found them? and what makes them all of the sudden start laying on them constantly? Sorry I'm learning. Or trying to. I know I sound REALLY stupid right now.

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[TheKindaFarmGal]

I am so new to all of this. If she laid while weaning, I am assuming that even IF they were fertile (they are not) they can lay them, and not sit constantly . then set on them, and they will all hatch? if that makes sense? I think I just don't understand anything about all of this lol. I don't even think I know (or understand) the true definition of Broody. All I know is she came with 11 chicks to begin with. was GREAT . very protective. then started weaning them. about a week after we saw her weaning she laid one egg in the coop. We got it, then next day.. she disappeared.. nineteen days later.( today, )we find fourteen eggs.. so when COULD she have started laying them where we found them? and what makes them all of the sudden start laying on them constantly? Sorry I'm learning. Or trying to. I know I sound REALLY stupid right now.

If eggs were laid by a hen, she went broody and sat on them for a few days (let's say four) and abandoned them they would die. Now if she laid eggs in nest for the same amount of days, then went broody and stayed the full 21 days they would hatch (assuming all goes well). I'm not sure if that answers your question. When a hen is broody she basically wants to/is hatching chicks. When a hen is broody she stops laying eggs, stays on the nest all of the time, etc.

She most likely started laying eggs in the other nest after you found the first egg. I thought it had been less time since you'd seen her, which is why I said she must have laid the eggs while weaning the chicks. Hens start sitting on eggs (going broody) because of a hormonal change. Summed up: she wants to and loves being a mom.

And the questions are totally normal! It's great that you are trying and willing to learn. Feel free to ask more questions any time.

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[MysteryChik]

If eggs were laid by a hen, she went broody and sat on them for a few days (let's say four) and abandoned them they would die. Now if she laid eggs in nest for the same amount of days, then went broody and stayed the full 21 days they would hatch (assuming all goes well). I'm not sure if that answers your question. When a hen is broody she basically wants to/is hatching chicks. When a hen is broody she stops laying eggs, stays on the nest all of the time, etc.

She most likely started laying eggs in the other nest after you found the first egg. I thought it had been less time since you'd seen her, which is why I said she must have laid the eggs while weaning the chicks. Hens start sitting on eggs (going broody) because of a hormonal change. Summed up: she wants to and loves being a mom.

And the questions are totally normal! It's great that you are trying and willing to learn. Feel free to ask more questions any time.

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Okay. Obviously a hen can't lay more than an egg a day, so would she have been laying an egg, then sitting on the egg, then laying another, sitting on two,, so on and so forth? Just can't understand why we haven't seen her in so long unless that was the case. Granted, I'm sure she has gotten off the eggs at some point and we just haven't seen her., long enough to eat and drink... still a little bit confused .. sorry..

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Okay. Obviously a hen can't lay more than an egg a day, so would she have been laying an egg, then sitting on the egg, then laying another, sitting on two,, so on and so forth? Just can't understand why we haven't seen her in so long unless that was the case. Granted, I'm sure she has gotten off the eggs at some point and we just haven't seen her., long enough to eat and drink... still a little bit confused .. sorry..

Yes, probably something like that happened.

 

[Weehopper]

If she is on eggs that won't hatch, you need to follow her and find the nest. Then come back after dark and pick her up. Get rid of the eggs too. Confine her so she will stop being broody.

 

[MysteryChik]

removed the eggs. cooped her up, went to change food, and hubby let her escape :/ She went right back to her nesting spot.. and is sitting again.. tryin to attack us when we try to pick her up. Poor girl don't even realize theres no eggs under her

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

removed the eggs. cooped her up, went to change food, and hubby let her escape :/ She went right back to her nesting spot.. and is sitting again.. tryin to attack us when we try to pick her up. Poor girl don't even realize theres no eggs under her

She knows there aren't eggs. She is just scheming for a way to get some.

Use gloves to pick her up and bring her back to the coop (or wherever you are keeping her for now). Once you are holding her she shouldn't try to hurt you.