eggs didn't hatch, my hen is still broody

[ybbed]

My hen is still broody, the eggs are definately not hatching, should I put new eggs under her and let her keep sitting, or should I just take the eggs and make her get up? I don't know if leaving her sitting so long is good for her. We've had some pretty hot, humid weather and I'm also
conserned that it is too hot for her in the hen house. Thanks for your help. Debby

 

[4boysmom]

You can put more eggs under her if you want, just make sure she's eating/pooping etc like she needs to. I have a little girl who has been sitting for about 5 weeks....staggered hatch....the final batch hatches in a few days.

 

[pgpoultry]

It very much depends on the hen. A couple of my girls eat and drink next to nothing when they brood so lose weight and condition. I would not let these have a second clutch.
However, if you have a hen who eats and drinks OK and has not lost too much condition she could manage a second clutch,

Sandie

 

[Rohnasmom]

Thanks for the info, none of my eggs hatched and she is driving me buggy! will put a few new ones under her, she is as fat as the day she laid down the first time. Nothing stops her from eating!

 

[bumpershoot]

I have had this same issue this year of multiple clutches not hatching. My answer has been to either put some feed store chicks under the hen and let her think they are hers or put fresh eggs under her and let her continue sitting eggs. I have also put the hens in with my meat birds the day they arrived. Imagine going from no eggs to 50 babies all at once! The little mille fleur cochin I did that too has turned into a stellar Mom. Just use your eyes to make sure things are going well.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

make sure she is getting off the nest to eat..and they will..it's just more time in between. I had a hen that hatched out 5, she would not get off the nest after I took them from her and put them in the brooder. so I eventually had to block her nest...now it's a month later and she wants to hatch some more so guess what..I'm giving her some more eggs this saturday...

 

[Rohnasmom]

Just put six new eggs from my neighbor under the poor fretful thing. She has happily settled down. Just got in three babies from Stephanie Kendall, adorable cochin bantams, they are right next to her in a cage and they all snuggle up against the bars, it is so cute!

 

[gmendoza]

My broody hens were slaves!!

They would hatch out,we collected them,put them in the brooder,set more under her,then she did it again.I let mine do it for about 3 rounds and checked her on a regular basis.onthe third round I let her bring them out and raaise them herself.

 

[Rohnasmom]

I wonder if this broody, knucklehead will stay that way...she is six years old, and Has never even thought about hatching anything out. Maybe going thru a midlife crisis. My dear neighbor gave me some fertile eggs out of MY poor deceased Roos brother. Praying to have them hatch. I miss him. RIP TUXILATOR.