Broody hen sitting too long?

[lexa]

Has anyone ever had a hen that just won't stop sitting? I have inherited all these new chickens (totally free range, never been cooped, but we're working on building one) and most of the girls would get broody on the ground under something and then three weeks later we'd have babies!! This one hen got broody in a nest box I built for the girls to lay in (so we could find the eggs, before I built them it was easter every day trying to find the fresh eggs hidden everywhere!). I'm pretty sure it's been over 3 weeks that she's been sitting now. I haven't heard any chick noises and she is just as crouched in the nest as always. Should I just keep waiting? Should I chase her out to check the eggs? Maybe my timing is off and I should just leave her alone. None of the other girls have required any help.

I can't wait to have a new batch of babies!!

 

[allen wranch]

A hen usually knows when her eggs are not going to hatch and will eventually get off the nest. Sometimes it is longer than 3 weeks before she realizes it.