Broody Silkie sat in wrong nest box

[branston]

My Silkie hen has been setting on two eggs since Sept 1st. I check in on her every day to give her water and food in the nest box and today when I looked she was sat in the nest box next to the one where her eggs are?? Is she just taking a break? I have no idea how long she was off the eggs but I promptly picked her up and sat her back on the eggs and she has stayed there. How long can the eggs stay good to hatch without the hen sat on them? She usually just comes out in the morning for 20 minutes and then hops right back on the eggs. This is her first time broody. Many thanks

 

[emys]

She just got confused as to where her nest was. She didn't mean to leave her eggs (she is just not very smart). Since she hasn't been sitting very long the eggs should be just fine.

If the eggs were older this could have caused problems, so you might want to move her to her own spot (like a dog crate tonight. You can keep the crate in the coop if there is room.