Broody - How long over 21 days to wait?

[chiknGeek]

I have a broody hen who's been on her eggs for 24 days now. There are no signs of hatching. I tried candling two of the eggs tonight. One was all dark, not even an air cell visible. The other looked all dark but there was an air cell visible.

How long should I wait?

 

[EmmaRainboe]

@Kiki

 

[EllieandOlive]

Is she only on the two eggs? I had a hen go broody on 2 eggs and 3 golf balls (twice) both eggs didn't develop. I ended up giving her more because she was hard core broody. She hatched out 7 ducklings for me, hah. I only had duck eggs at the time that were fertile. Those all hatched well. I've also had eggs go to 23-24 days in my incubator under 'ideal' settings before hatching. Natural brooding is slightly more varied so I'd give it more time. Do the eggs smell okay?

If I have a hen that is brooding extra long I usually give her special treatment, as in her own personal food and water so she had plenty available versus whatever was available when she decided to get off the nest.

Keep in mind a proper broody hen will set indefinitely, until they hatch or the eggs disappear (sometimes not even then do they stop).

 

[chiknGeek]

Hi! Thanks for the reply. She was on 5 eggs the first time. They were due 3/1. None hatched. It looked like two were clear and three were early quitters. I gave her 4 more eggs to try, these will be due 2/27. If none of these hatch I have an order of chicks due to arrive on the following week and will probably try to give her a few of those chicks.

The eggs are from my own flock. The pullets and cockerel are all 9 months old.

 

[MichelleHubs]

I had a broody hen sitting on one last egg to hatch, it was going on day 25, I made the call. Turns out I was wrong! Baby was alive, probably would have hatched if I would have given it one day longer....so disappointed with myself! I wonder too how long people usually wait on those last few eggs! Can't seem to find the answer anywhere. I guess lesson learned, but still wonder...at what point to make the call? What's the right approach? At that far along you can't see anything during candling, at least not with my eggs.