Broody on empty eggs

[ridinshotgun]

I had a hen go broody on me about about three weeks ago on a two eggs while I was away for work. Today I finally caught her off the nest and candled the eggs and they are empty.

My question is I am receiving two dozen eggs going in my incubator today, Can I or should I switch out those two eggs for some of the good eggs I am getting today? Or should I just pull those two eggs and let her go back to normal?

Not sure what to do since this is the first broody I have ever had.

 

[iwiw60]

If she's still definitely broody I say go for it! Here's a page with great info:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=broody+hatch

 

[ridinshotgun]

Thanks for the link. In the link they say it is bad for a hen to go for longer than three weeks. has anyone done it for the 6 weeks without a problem?

If not then I will move her tonight to a separate pen and put some good eggs under her. that way I can use her a broody for all the eggs when the hatch in few weeks.

 

[donrae]

You can try it, but 6 weeks is a very long time for a hen to be broody. Brooding does put a physical strain on the hen.

I'd think the biggest risk is of her just quitting, though. You'd have to keep a careful eye on her and pull those eggs into the incubator if/when she gives up.

 

[bobbi-j]

If it were my hen, I'd try to locate some chicks to put under her and take those eggs away. Being broody is hard on them - they hardly eat or drink or move, and as Donrae said, she might just quit on you. I don't think it would kill her to sit another 3 weeks, but I do think it would definitely weaken her.