broody hens and the eggs

[kevs-chickadees]

Can the hens tell if the egg is good(chick still alive and developing)? its the start of day 23 and the broodys keep tucking in the eggs and turning them. How long does one wait without any pipping before knowing the eggs aren't any good? Thanks

 

[Judy]

I don't think anyone really knows this but I suspect they can. They do seem to know when one is bad. Trouble is, they also vary a lot, just as a good setter may be a bad mother -- I had one hatch a few eggs and immediately kill all the chicks, I caught her killing the last one while it was still hatching.

At 23 days if it doesn't smell bad I'd sure give her some more time, myself.