Broody was scared off her nest! How long is too long?

[Anna-MN]

My broody sitting on 14 eggs was scared off her nest yesterday by a sneaky Blue Andalusian hen that flew over the fence, found the small pop door into broody ' s coop, flew over the partition, and harassed broody girl in her kennel. I found her huddled down outside of the coop. Once I brought her back in, she went right to her nest and huddled her eggs. I'm guessing she left her eggs for a couple hours. It was over 80 degrees yesterday and very humid. They eggs are at day 12 of development. I candled a couple days ago and they are developing. Do you think they made it or was she gone too long?

 

[iwiw60]

I would think that they are still viable. And as your broody took back to her nest if it were me I'd let her continue and see what happens...best of luck and keep us updated!

 

[Anna-MN]

Thanks! Anyone else have an opinion on this? I'm super worried about those eggs!

 

[missnu01]

My broody sitting on 14 eggs was scared off her nest yesterday by a sneaky Blue Andalusian hen that flew over the fence, found the small pop door into broody ' s coop, flew over the partition, and harassed broody girl in her kennel. I found her huddled down outside of the coop. Once I brought her back in, she went right to her nest and huddled her eggs. I'm guessing she left her eggs for a couple hours. It was over 80 degrees yesterday and very humid. They eggs are at day 12 of development. I candled a couple days ago and they are developing. Do you think they made it or was she gone too long?

I would say they are 100% fine. They won't ever know anything happened. Lol. Chickens get off the nests. It's actually better for the eggs to cool off a bit each day... my broody gets up for an hour-an hour and and half most days. As long as it isn't the dead of winter and 15 degrees outside, and even then sometimes the eggs would be fine. As the egg chick's develop they actually start making their own heat somewhat so the closer to hatch day an egg is the longer It can go without heat on it.