Broody left the nest.

[KathyKlye]

My Wyandotte hen left her nest of eggs after sitting for 14 days and wouldn't get back on them. She was off them for 24 hours. Will the eggs still be viable? Why would she get off the nest? Definitely no mites, lice etc. I have put the eggs under a broody duck that had a failed hatch (they were duck eggs under the hen).
Cheers
Kathy

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Do you think something could have spooked your hen? Sometimes they just decide they have had enough and abandon the eggs. They could still hatch but maybe delayed with the hen leaving the nest. Depending on how cold the temperatures are where you are can make a difference on how quickly the eggs would cool down. Allthough the eggs had been left it would take longer for the insides of the eggs to cool down.

Wishing you the very best of luck and hope you enjoy BYC

 

[jak2002003]

They will only sit for a set amount of days.

Was yours sitting a few days before you put the ducks eggs under her?

If not, was she a first time broody? How old is she? Sometime the very young hens, don't brood well the first time they go broody.

 

[Orca5094]

24 hours is a really long time for them not to have been incubated. Typically during incubation, you don't want your hen to be off the eggs more than one hour at a time. But sometimes eggs can surprise you with how resilient they are. You just never know, so it's always good to give it a try! I would try to candle them in a few days and see if they are still moving in there. Good luck!

 

[KathyKlye]

I am in Far North Queensland and it has been 30 plus deg here. The hen is a young hen and a first time broody.. The duck is still sitting on the eggs so fingers crossed. Will try to candle them tonight.

 

[Orca5094]

Ok, well that's definitely better than if you were in the middle of winter like alot of us! I think that improves your chances a bit for sure. Let us know what you see when you candle.