Broody hen sitting on eggs

[Brandi Angus]

We are new to the backyard chicken life. I have a broody hen sitting on about 15 eggs. They are all bantam. The eggs were laid over a period of time and we know she has been sitting for at least right before Christmas when we moved her. With it being cold, will she know if they are not good and get up? Without us knowing exactly when they were laid, when do we throw them out? My 10 year old daughter talked us into this so we are learning as we go. THANK YOU! Brandi

 

[Pyxis]

!

When they were laid doesn't matter, as long as they were under ten days old when she started sitting on them. When she started sitting is was counts - eggs hatch 21 days after the hen starts to sit on them, maybe a couple days longer with the really cold temps we've been having. If you want to to see if they're any good, you could candle them.

 

[Brandi Angus]

Thank you! She is very protective of them and when we open her door, she is extremely fluffed. She is a new mama...her mama was busy hatching her own when this happened.

 

[gocgo]

Do you have a rooster? Are the eggs fertilized?

The answer is no, she will probably sit on the eggs until they hatch or she gives up. I had a hen sit on eggs for 31 days before I gave up an put some TSC chicks under her. Other hens may sit for 2 weeks and give up before the 21 day hatching period. Obviously, if the eggs aren't fertilized, they won't be hatching. If you don't know when they were layed, I'd throw them to be on the safe side....but your hen may keep sitting. Broody hens can be broody even without eggs underneath them.