Broody hen question

ShawnaLeigh

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I have a Leghorn that is first time broody and she is sitting on 2 eggs.
I am not sure how long the eggs have been under her, she took over some eggs from one of my broody Cochins and I never thought they were going to hatch because I had marked them and told my husband not to gather them but one day he did so not looking for the mark and they were sitting in the house for over an hour or more before I got home and realized what he had done to the point they were really cold. So I went ahead and put them back under her and it looks as though they have grown some but can’t tell if they are progressing any further. We have had unusual weather with huge amounts of snow and below 0 temperatures so I am worried they are done. How long do I need to let her sit on these eggs? Her comb is extremely laid over to the side and she just looks puny.
Any advice is appreciated

thanks
 
Hmm no I’d say not. An hour is much to long, probably not viable at all. I’d trash the eggs:(
 
If you want to let her set, try adding a small dish of food and water to the brooding nest box. Keep them close enough that she can get to both without leaving the box. I wouldn't go much past day 25 though.
 
If you had a way to light up the egg and see how far along and if there was life?
 
Hens often leave the nest for an hour. The trip to the house did not likely hurt them. If you get a chance to candle. (Cell phone flashlight works well) you should be able to see if they are alive and how far along they are. I had a young Leghorn hatch 3 winter chicks last week.
 
Hens often leave the nest for an hour. The trip to the house did not likely hurt them. If you get a chance to candle. (Cell phone flashlight works well) you should be able to see if they are alive and how far along they are. I had a young Leghorn hatch 3 winter chicks last week.
I was looking at my eggs and somehow the power cord got unplugged! Not sure it could been while? Fired it back up and got 12 eggs to hatch!
 
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I have candled them and they have encompassed the entire egg except the small sack at the bottom like normal which hatching but they have been that way for about a week now. I tried to put food up close to her nest but she will not eat it. I have food and water in the coop with her now.
I “thought” I heard pecking inside the egg so I am still waiting to see if they hatch. I haven’t given up hope yet. This young leghorn is relentless and she will not let me close to her eggs so looking at them without stressing her out is a chore. I just don’t want to lose the hen with her sitting so long. If and when I remove the eggs will she leave the nest?
 
I have candled them and they have encompassed the entire egg except the small sack at the bottom like normal which hatching but they have been that way for about a week now. I tried to put food up close to her nest but she will not eat it. I have food and water in the coop with her now.
I “thought” I heard pecking inside the egg so I am still waiting to see if they hatch. I haven’t given up hope yet. This young leghorn is relentless and she will not let me close to her eggs so looking at them without stressing her out is a chore. I just don’t want to lose the hen with her sitting so long. If and when I remove the eggs will she leave the nest?
Odds are she'll eat and drink if it's in reach. Even my psycho broodies do
 

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