First time potential broody hen? Please help 🙄

[Qui1980]

I was thinking a potentially had a broody hen.. haven’t been through this process before. Black Betty has made her lovely nest and for the last few days has been sitting on it far more often than normal. I’ve added the other hens eggs. There is currently a total of 10 eggs. However although she spends all night on it and until about 11am she takes the afternoon off. With the eggs still be viable after her leaving them for such a period of time in weather of 5-15 degrees Celsius? I’m not sure if hens do this until clutch is the size of her liking and then she will sit? Also, she tends to leave the nest when I go in to change the water in the coop. Maybe I should not go anywhere near her? Any advice welcome!

 

[MartinFamilyHomestead]

Muscovys behave differently than other ducks so advice I give might not be accurate for your situation

Yes hens will not filling sit until they have a clutch size to their liking. This could be a different number for each hen or even for the same hen, she might stop laying and sit on 13 eggs right now and next time it could be different.

As far as not going near her, by the sounds of it you can’t really get around that with having to change the water. Just move slowly and quietly while in with her and stay as far away as possible. Don’t stress her out more than needed, especially if she’s not fully broody yet you don’t want to discourage her from that. I believe muscovys can make this like hissing noise when they are distressed so maybe if you hear that just stop what you’re doing and back away for a while