Broody hen poops on her eggs

[nellie49]

I have a hen who poops on her eggs while sitting to hatch. I have cleaned up after her & wiped the eggs but they are still dirty. Will this affect the hatching?

 

[sourland]

This can have a negative impact on viability. It is important to have feed and water a distance from the nest so that she must vacate the nest site to eat and drink. Sometimes with a hen like this it helps to remove her from the nest twice a day. Good luck in correcting this behavior, and hopefully the eggs will hatch.

 

[nellie49]

Thank you Sourland I appreciate your attention. I have bred chicks for many years but have not come across such a lazy hen. She has access to the outside in her pen but chose to come out to eat & then poop on her eggs. However she did successfully hatch 6 delightful chicks I'm pleased to say.