First time and I have a predicament

[Realtree4]

So my Australorp went broody 3 days ago and so I decided to get some fertile eggs for her. I'm on my way to pick them up and the lady calls me and told me that she has 3 eggs that had been set on for over a week (maybe 2?) and then 3 eggs that were just laid today?

What do I do?

Do I put the eggs that are further along under her and keep the newer 3 in case my other hen goes broody? But then would that risk them hatching to soon for her? Plus, are they going to be okay since they were being set upon for so long then moved and getting cooled down?

Or do I just put the newer 3 eggs under her?

Also, should I put them under her tonight when it's dark? She's on a golf ball right now

First time with a broody hen and this wasn't part of "the plan" :/

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Go for eggs laid today.

You can put them under her at night or when she comes off to defecate and feed.

 

[Realtree4]

Thank you! I haven't been able to catch her off of her nest yet, so I will probably have to slip them under her tonight.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That will work fine. The reason is, they haven't started developing so even if she doesn't tuck them under till morning, it won't matter.

 

[Realtree4]

Good to know! Thank you again! As you can tell, I wasn't planning on having a hen go broody just yet. I only have three adults and the younger flock (with the roosters) are only 12 weeks old. So close and get so far away

 

[Realtree4]

After I picked up the eggs, I came home and realized that she hasn't been off her nest in over 2 days, so I put food and water about 2 feet away from her and picked her off the nest. She was NOT happy with me but starving!!! About 10 minutes later she climbed out of the coop, ate and drank some more and then went to dust bath.

So I jumped on the chance, marked the eggs and put them her nest....checked on her 1/2 hour later and it's like she knows she is on "real" eggs because her growl is louder and she looks even more evil than before . She is guarding those eggs with her life! I had been checking under her the past few days and she didn't like it but would allow me to...I don't think that will be possible now.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's all good now. Just leave her alone. She knows what to do. Mark your calendar for 3 weeks from today and relax till then.

 

[donrae]

And realize she WILL get off to eat, drink and poop. Mine are usually only off 15-20 min, so unless you're sitting on them all day you won't see it. Folks freak out thinking the hen hasn't moved, but they really, honestly do. I don't like to keep the feed and water that close, I feel they need the activity when they get up. If you're only moving once a day for 15 minutes, I feel you should make the most of it

We'll be waiting to see chicks in 3 weeks!

 

[Realtree4]

Thank you both! The coop that's she's in is the kind that has the ramp that goes from the roost/nesting boxes down to where the food and water is...that will be okay right?

So I went and picked up 6 more eggs to put under her after dark...4 more easter Eggers and 2 white leghorn X Easter egger. So that will be 9 under my giant Australorp and that's it!!!! I completely hands off at this point! I'm really not one to baby my animals, at all! I'm just so excited and will be sharing pictures in 3 weeks!

 

[Pooman]

Thank you both! The coop that's she's in is the kind that has the ramp that goes from the roost/nesting boxes down to where the food and water is...that will be okay right?

So I went and picked up 6 more eggs to put under her after dark...4 more easter Eggers and 2 white leghorn X Easter egger. So that will be 9 under my giant Australorp and that's it!!!! I completely hands off at this point! I'm really not one to baby my animals, at all! I'm just so excited and will be sharing pictures in 3 weeks!

The nest is fine with the ramp, but when they hatch you need to check to make sure the chicks make it back to the nest, they might get left behind and the mums dont care, survival of the fittest in chicken world. Having said that, she may decide to after they have hatched move the nest to floor level. Ive had a broody do that after the chicks hatched. It might pay to put a box with some nesting material at floor level if she wants to,do that. But watch after they have hatched mate..