does she know what she is doing?

[Rorie]

One of our hens (less than one year old) plucked her chest and started to sit in the egg box a lot. We left her eggs and she seemed to be getting ready to sit. So we seperated her from the others and gave her a small coop. But she didnt like it and would sit as close to the fence where the others were as she could.....in the rain and snow! So i felt sorry for her so moved her and her eggs back.

Now a different hen (also the same age) has also plucked and is now sitting on the eggs! She is in there a lot, not laying anymore. But when ever i go out, she comes running out the coop with the others to see me/the treats i bring. When i feel the eggs they are always warm.

So, question is, does she know what she is doing? I thought they wouldnt leave the eggs more than once a day...but she doesnt seem that committed...... but as i say, the eggs are always warm.

 

[Mahonri]

First time broodies will sometimes not be as committed as they should be.

Are the eggs fertile? Is so, let them sit and see what happens!

I had a couple of first time broody Icelandic hens this year and they were really great mothers.

 

[Rorie]

Yeh the eggs are fertile.

She was sitting on them lots today which is good when teh others were out and about.

I guess its ok to leave her just now as the others are not bothering her?

Will the eggs still develop properly if she is not on them as much as she should be?