OK, I have 2 hens that went broody around the same time, so I decided to give them some eggs to sit on. They have been sharing 5 eggs since 6/28. On Thursday evening, while I was checking for eggs, I found one of the eggs I gave them in the middle of the coop. It was cold, but I knew there was a chick in there, so I figured I would rather be safe than sorry, and put it back under the hens. Tonight, while lifting the girls to check for fresh eggs (the other girls insist on laying in their broody spot), I kept hearing chirping. I looked and looked, but no chick. I wasn't expecting a chick, but I know I heard one. I got a flashlight and, sure enough, an egg is hatching. What is more interesting than the fact it is 3 days early, I am pretty sure it is the egg I put back 2 days ago. They are sitting on eggs from 3 different hens, and I marked them all with the date and the first initial of the hen who laid them. What would cause a chick to hatch early? Has anybody else had an egg that had not been incubated long enough to be cold, hatch? This is only my 2nd broody hatching, so I am clueless
