Broody hen stopped sitting on her eggs! Please help!

[swakita]

Hi everyone, I just got my first flock this year as chicks and have never experienced a broody hen nor hatching eggs. I had a hen that went broody on a couple of eggs, about two weeks ago today she committed to sitting on them. However, tonight I went to lock up the coop and instead of being in the nesting box as she normally is, she was asleep on the roosting bar. I tried to carefully and calmly bring her to the eggs but she was not having that . I brought them inside and I have them set up in a makeshift incubator since I don't own one (I plan to go buy one tomorrow!), and I checked all of them and they're moving inside! Is there any chance she will adopt the chicks when they hatch? Or not since she's no longer sitting in the box broody? Also, is there any chance she will go back to the box or is it a situation where once she stops sitting on them at night she's not going to go back? Additionally, when I initially candled the eggs while I was in the coop, I only brought inside the ones that I could really see a chick in it. Should I still incubate the rest anyways? Thanks in advance! Any help would be so so appreciated, I'm quite worried about the babies

 

[GodLovesU]

I think after they’re done being broody they are unlikely to take chicks.If she got off at night and rooster,I’d say she’s form.If you saw absolutely no development in eggs that she’d been sitting on you can probably toss them but if you can’t tell I would keep incubating them.Good luck!keep us updated!

 

[swakita]

I think after they’re done being broody they are unlikely to take chicks.If she got off at night and rooster,I’d say she’s form.If you saw absolutely no development in eggs that she’d been sitting on you can probably toss them but if you can’t tell I would keep incubating them.Good luck!keep us updated!

Thank you for the advice!! I figured she wouldn't take them Unfortunately I also do not have an incubator, and cant seem to locate one around me in stores or marketplace, I ordered one online however it wont be here until the 14th.... I've reached out on a facebook page about chicken stuff with others in my state to see if anyone would be open to letting me borrow one in the meantime. Right now, I have a milk crate set up with a heated blanket lining the bottom and a small bowl of water for humidity, and covering it with a board. I am monitoring the temp inside with a meater thermometer currently Do you happen to have any suggestions for my makeshift incubator? I just want to make sure it'll be enough to keep them alive the last week or so until they hatch in the case that I can't borrow anyones...

 

[GodLovesU]

What is the temperature in the box?If you have a heat lamp that would be useful.

 

[LaurenRitz]

They can also be kept warm under a brooder plate. As long as the temperature isn't too hot you should be fine.

 

[swakita]

So sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you guys. I’ve had a pretty busy few weeks, but all the chicks have hatched successfully!! Such beautiful little chicks! Thank you all for the help. I did find an incubator and heat plate so I will have these for any future need as well