Dead Eggs ?? or not ??

[Minx]

My broody hen was sitting happily on her 20 eggs ... but, we are now on day 16 she seems to come off them for her daily ablutions but seems to be off for much longer than she used to. Does anyone know how long it takes for the hen to be off the eggs before they die ??? They did feel very cold.

 

[MissPrissy]

Candle them and look for movement. Is she sitting on them more hours than she is not?

 

[swtangel321]

I have read that a hen can stay off her eggs for up to a half hour, Mine stays off for about 10 min and then runs back in !!! How long does she stay off of them at a time ??

 

[Minx]

Quote:
My eldest lad said he thought it had been about an hour but cant be exactly sure ... she seems to have settled ok again as has only been coming off for 10 mins but I fear she is sitting on dead eggs.

I will have a go at candling, never done this before though so will do a seqarch about what to look for.

Thanks for the replies

 

[swtangel321]

this site might help...... http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/Embryology/candling.shtml


Good luck and keep us posted !!!!