Egg Massacre

[TINASPARKLE]

After watching one of our hens stay in the nesting box for 3 days, we moved her & 3 eggs to her own private place on our patio. She has been there for about a week now. Tonight we realized that all of the eggs were gone. Turns out our 3-yr-old boy has been very naughty. We found the inside of one egg in our shower, and the shell in the laundry hamper. We have yet to find the other two. :-(.

I am wondering what to expect from the hen now that her babies are gone. How long could it take for her to start laying again? Will the rooster still be interested in her?

 

[loveourbirds]

a sitting hen sets after a rise in the hormone progesterone. in most cases it takes about a month for her to start laying again. sometimes sooner.
the relationship between her and the rooster will be just fine.

she may find another nest and start setting again. if you have fertile eggs she will probably set them.

edited to add:

 

[TINASPARKLE]

Thanks...we are only 1 year into chicken parenting & this was our first broody experience.

One more question...if we happen to find the other two eggs intact, do you think she would come back to them? How long is too long for eggs to be left without the hen? We live in AZ, so they would be pretty warm. Unless, of course, they are hidden in the house somewhere. UGGGHH!

Love this forum!

 

[loveourbirds]

putting the eggs back under her would be touchy. I myself would give it a try and candle them in a few days looking for growth. anything less than 24 hours and your normally safe. is she still sitting on one of the nests?