Eggs in nest Questions!

[Nostalchic]

Secuono, I'm not sure you're understanding the main point here. Chickens will lay eggs and "add to them" daily, but until a chicken is broody, those eggs will not hatch. A broody hen almost NEVER leaves the nest, maybe for a few minutes to poop a huge poop, fluff around in some damp dirt and maybe get a quick bite, and then she goes RIGHT BACK. Maybe off 5 minutes max. And she will fluff up her feathers and sort of growl at you and peck at you if you try to get the eggs or move her from the nest. She does turn the eggs, but any hen that is laying an egg in that nest will also "arrange them". And then lay an egg and leave. A broody hen will stay on that nest night and day for 21 days, maintaining a precise temperature and humidity, and then - ONLY then - the eggs will hatch. If you want to have the eggs hatch, you will have to wait for a broody hen or incubate them yourself. There's really no way to force this. And broodiness is pretty much a spring and summer phenomenon, with some exceptions.

 

[secuono]

I realize that. But, what I don't get is the starting process. How does she start the whole process, does she start sitting in the nest all day and then lay and continue to sit? Does she lay eggs and act like other chickens until she has enough eggs, then sit on them? I'm not getting this starting time. I understand the rest.

 

[secuono]

9 eggs now. Wonder if they are edible so long being in the barn...

 

[secuono]

I believe I'm the one keeping her off the nest. They know the sound of me messing with the lock and they always run off. When I close the door and they hear that lock again, they all come out to eat and roost again. I went to the barn to close the door and noticed a hen on the eggs through the wall cracks. IDK which hen it is, so idk if I've seen her off the nest and outside unless I've scared them out.

 

[secuono]

Yep, she was on the eggs.
She seemed really zoned out, didn't move at all until I tried to touch her with my hand and not the feed cup.
Normal?

 

[gryeyes]

A broody hen will NOT leave the nest except maybe once or twice for very short periods to relieve herself and get a drink of water and some food. You putting your hand in there, or other chickens wanting to get into the nest box, will NOT make her leave the eggs. She will puff up her feathers and make a warning sound, like a cross between "chittering" and growling. She may even peck at you.

If she's laying eggs and leaving them, she is NOT broody. She's just laying eggs. Like human women ovulating, albeit far more frequently.

 

[secuono]

There is no way every chicken is like that. Plus, they don't like me at all. Would they really sit on eggs if a wolf is snapping at them?

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
I can't speak for all the chickens in the world

, but i have never gotten a broody to leave the nest without physical force and much protest. Let me correct that - once or twice a day, they might leave for snacks if they're really really hungry. That' it. They go into like a trance, chanting something about sitting on eggs and murdering all who challenge the sitting on eggs.

 

[secuono]

Well, she was very zoned out, first two times I nudged her with the scoop, she didn't move, it freaked me out. Then she finally turned her head and I'm a very new and untrusted human, so she stood then hopped out. She returned right after I closed the door though.

I think I will just let her be and see if she is able to hatch any or tosses any bad eggs out.

 

[secuono]

She's now been on the nest for days straight, I've been careful not to annoy her, she no longer even looks at me, just naps.

The last owner said she raises chicks a lot and is the most docile, with her, not me a stranger. So I'm sure she's one of those that might not freak when you take eggs or if your new, will just run.

Either way, I'm on a wait to see if something turns out with these!