Broody queston

[Arkantex]

So, went to check for eggs about 3 hours ago and there was a hen in the nesting box. I figured she was laying so , i decided to come back later. Came back an hour or so later and she was still in there. I just went and checked again and she is still in there. Went to reach and pick up another egg beside her and she bunkered down. So I figure she is broody. Here come the questions...

1- Should I pick her up and see if there are any eggs under her?
2- If there are, should I mark them with a sharpie or something so I don't grab them when I go to gather eggs?
3- Will she continue to lay if she is "incubating" some eggs?
4- If no to 3, will she start laying again if I take the eggs from under her?

I know its alot of ??? but this is my first go around with this. THanks

 

[Tiramisu]

1- Should I pick her up and see if there are any eggs under her?
You can if you want.
2- If there are, should I mark them with a sharpie or something so I don't grab them when I go to gather eggs?
I would, if you think there is a good possibility other hens will lay in there still, then mark them.
3- Will she continue to lay if she is "incubating" some eggs?
No, usually once they go broody they stop laying.
4- If no to 3, will she start laying again if I take the eggs from under her?
Yes, after you break her of being broody she will go back to laying.

My other comment would be to wait another day to make sure. I have had hens set for almost a whole day, but then get up the next day. I have my very first broody right now and she's on day 15.

 

[jallny]

the answers to 3 and 4 are no

 

[Arkantex]

How long will eggs take to hatch out?

 

[justin24]

21days and have space for broody hen and chicks

 

[Arkantex]

Well, all the fuss for nothing... She was sitting on 2 of the wooden eggs that we put in there to give them the right idea

 

[JimnTer]

1- Should I pick her up and see if there are any eggs under her?
You can if you want.
2- If there are, should I mark them with a sharpie or something so I don't grab them when I go to gather eggs?
I would, if you think there is a good possibility other hens will lay in there still, then mark them.
3- Will she continue to lay if she is "incubating" some eggs?
No, usually once they go broody they stop laying.
4- If no to 3, will she start laying again if I take the eggs from under her?
Yes, after you break her of being broody she will go back to laying.

My other comment would be to wait another day to make sure. I have had hens set for almost a whole day, but then get up the next day. I have my very first broody right now and she's on day 15.

I agree 100%, including the final comment. I usually wait 2 days, to make sure they are really committed to it. Then I remove whatever they are sitting on and replace it with what I want them to hatch. Even if it is the same type of eggs that she had to start with, so I know they all started incubating the same day