Broody hen on yolk-covered eggs

[Time-Out]

I have a broody hen who was sat on four eggs. About 3 hours after the last check on her, she was missing an egg. The other three are covered in yolk, there is a wet patch on the ground.

The first mystery is: what happened?
The second is: what do I do about the yolk-covered eggs?

They all candled as alive and kicking a couple of days ago, but when I candled last night (the three remaining), there didn't seem to be any movement. They should have about another 5 days left. I'm not sure exactly when they were first sat upon.

If I wash the eggs, I'll be removing he bloom. The nestbox and underside of my hen aren't exactly the cleanest of places, so I'm inclined to believe that will lead to bacterial infiltration - if they are still viable.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

They may have smothered by now, but if you want to try to save them then I'd wash them under warm running water right now. Dry with a clean towel. Remove any egg smeared nest litter and put some fresh down before replacing the eggs. Pretty much all you can do at this point.

I'd say one of the eggs may have been weak shelled and broke under her so she cleaned it up. But if you want those eggs to have any chance you're going to have go get the yolk off of them so that air can penetrate through to the chicks inside.

 

[Time-Out]

Thanks for the advice. I'll do so.

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Thanks for the advice. I'll do so.

Curious if the eggs hatched?! It's been a few years